Compositions and methods for prolonging survival of platelets

ABSTRACT

The present invention provides modified platelets having a reduced platelet clearance and methods for reducing platelet clearance. Also provided are compositions for the preservation of platelets. The invention also provides methods for making a pharmaceutical composition containing the modified platelets and for administering the pharmaceutical composition to a mammal to mediate hemostasis.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) to U.S. Provisional Application Serial No. 60/424,807, entitled “Compositions and Methods for Prolonging Survival of Platelets,” filed on Nov. 8, 2002, which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.

FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH

[0002] This invention was funded in part under National Institute of Health Grants Nos. HL19429 and HL56949. The government may retain certain rights in the invention.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0003] The inventions relate to compositions and methods for reducing the clearance of platelets and prolonging the survival of platelets.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0004] Platelets are anucleate bone marrow-derived blood cells that protect injured mammals from blood loss by adhering to sites of vascular injury and by promoting the formation of plasma fibrin clots. Humans depleted of circulating platelets by bone marrow failure suffer from life threatening spontaneous bleeding, and less severe deficiencies of platelets contribute to bleeding complications following trauma or surgery.

[0005] A reduction in the number of circulating platelets to below ˜70,000 per μL reportedly results in a prolongation of a standardized cutaneous bleeding time test, and the bleeding interval prolongs, extrapolating to near infinity as the platelet count falls to zero. Patients with platelet counts of less than 20,000 per μL are thought to be highly susceptible to spontaneous hemorrhage from mucosal surfaces, especially when the thrombocytopenia is caused by bone marrow failure and when the affected patients are ravaged with sepsis or other insults. The platelet deficiencies associated with bone marrow disorders such as aplastic anemia, acute and chronic leukemias, metastatic cancer but especially resulting from cancer treatment with ionizing radiation and chemotherapy represent a major public health problem. Thrombocytopenia associated with major surgery, injury and sepsis also eventuates in administration of significant numbers of platelet transfusions.

[0006] A major advance in medical care half a century ago was the development of platelet transfusions to correct such platelet deficiencies, and over 9 million platelet transfusions took place in the United States alone in 1999 (Jacobs et al., 2001). Platelets, however, unlike all other transplantable tissues, do not tolerate refrigeration, because they disappear rapidly from the circulation of recipients if subjected to even very short periods of chilling, and the cooling effect that shortens platelet survival is irreversible (Becker et al., 1973; Berger et al., 1998).

[0007] The resulting need to keep these cells at room temperature prior to transfusion has imposed a unique set of costly and complex logistical requirements for platelet storage. Because platelets are actively metabolic at room temperature, they require constant agitation in porous containers to allow for release of evolved CO₂ to prevent the toxic consequences of metabolic acidosis. Room temperature storage conditions result in macromolecular degradation and reduced hemostatic functions of platelets, a set of defects known as “the storage lesion” (Chemoff and Snyder, 1992). But the major problem with room-temperature storage, leading to its short (5-day) limitation, is the higher risk of bacterial infection. Bacterial contamination of blood components is currently the most frequent infectious complication of blood component use, exceeding by far that of viral agents (Engelfriet et al., 2000). In the USA, 3000-4500 cases yearly of bacterial sepsis occur because of bacterially contaminated blood components (Yomtovian et al., 1993).

[0008] The mechanism underlying the unique irreversible cold intolerance of platelets has been a mystery as has its physiological significance. Circulating platelets are smooth-surfaced discs that convert to complex shapes as they react to vascular injury. Over 40 years ago investigators noted that discoid platelets also change shape at refrigeration temperatures (Zucker and Borrelli, 1954). Subsequent evidence that a discoid shape was the best predictor of viability for platelets stored at room temperature (Schlichter and Harker, 1976) led to the conclusion that the cold-induced shape change per se was responsible for the rapid clearance of chilled platelets. Presumably irregularly-shaped platelets deformed by cooling became entrapped in the microcirculation.

[0009] Based on our studies linking signaling to the mechanisms leading to platelet shape changes induced by ligands (Hartwig et al., 1995), we predicted that chilling, by inhibiting calcium extrusion, could elevate calcium levels to a degree consistent with the activation of the protein gelsolin, which severs actin filaments and caps barbed ends of actin filaments. We also reasoned that a membrane lipid phase transition at low temperatures would cluster phosphoinositides. Phosphoinositide clustering uncaps actin filament barbed ends (Janmey and Stossel, 1989) to create nucleation sites for filament elongation. We produced experimental evidence for both mechanisms, documenting gelsolin activation, actin filament barbed end uncapping, and actin assembly in cooled platelets (Hoffmeister et al., 2001; Winokur and Hartwig, 1995). Others have reported spectroscopic changes in chilled platelets consistent with a membrane phase transition (Tablin et al., 1996). This information suggested a method for preserving the discoid shape of chilled platelets, using a cell-permeable calcium chelator to inhibit the calcium rise and cytochalasin B to prevent barbed end actin assembly. Although addition of these agents retained platelets in a discoid shape at 4° C. (Winokur and Hartwig, 1995), such platelets also clear rapidly from the circulation, as we report here. Therefore, the problem of the rapid clearance of chilled platelets remains, and methods of increasing circulation time as well as storage time for platelets are needed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0010] The present invention provides modified platelets having a reduced platelet clearance and methods for reducing platelet clearance. Also provided are compositions for the preservation of platelets. The invention also provides methods for making a pharmaceutical composition containing the modified platelets and for administering the pharmaceutical composition to a mammal to mediate hemostasis.

[0011] It has now been discovered that cooling of human platelets causes clustering of the von Willebrand factor (vWf) receptor complex α subunit (GP1bα) complexes on the platelet surface. The clustering of GP1bα complexes on the platelet surface elicits recognition by Macrophage complement type three receptors (αMβ2, CR3) in vitro and in vivo. CR3 receptors recognize N-linked sugars with terminal βG1cNAc on the of GP1bα complexes and phagocytose the platelets, clearing them from the circulation and resulting in a concomitant loss of hemostatic function.

[0012] Applicants have discovered that treatment of platelets with certain sugar molecules, which is believed to lead to glycation of the exposed βG1cNAc residues on GP1bα reduced platelet clearance, blocked platelet phagocytosis, increased platelet circulation time, and increased platelet storage time.

[0013] According to one aspect of the invention, methods for increasing the circulation time of a population of platelets is provided. The method comprises contacting an isolated population of platelets with at least one glycan modifying agent in an amount effective to reduce the clearance of the population of platelets. In some embodiments, the glycan modifying agent is selected from the group consisting UDP-galactose and UDP-galactose precursors. In some preferred embodiments, the glycan modifying agent is UDP-galactose.

[0014] In some embodiments, the method further comprises adding an enzyme that catalyzes the modification of a glycan moiety. One example of an enzyme that catalyzes the modification of a glycan moiety is galactosyl transferase.

[0015] In one of the preferred embodiment, the glycan modifying agent is UDP-galactose and the enzyme that catalyzes the modification of the glycan moiety is galactosyl transferase.

[0016] In some embodiments, the method for increasing the circulation time of a population of platelets further comprises chilling the population of platelets prior to, concurrently with, or after contacting the platelets with the at least one glycan modifying agent.

[0017] In some embodiments, the population of platelets retains substantially normal hemostatic activity.

[0018] In some embodiments, the step of contacting the population of platelets with at least one glycan modifying agent is performed in a platelet bag.

[0019] In some embodiments, the circulation time is increased by at least about 10%, 15%, 20%, 25%, 30%, 40%, 50%, 60%, 75%, 100%, 150%, 200%, or more.

[0020] According to another aspect of the invention, a method for increasing the storage time of platelets is provided. The method comprises contacting an isolated population of platelets with an amount of at least one glycan modifying agent effective to reduce the clearance of the population of platelets, and storing the population of platelets.

[0021] In some embodiments, the glycan modifying agent is selected from the group consisting of: UDP-galactose and UDP-galactose precursors. In some preferred embodiments, the glycan modifying agent is UDP-galactose.

[0022] In some embodiments, the method further comprises adding an enzyme that catalyzes the addition of the glycan modifying agent to a glycan on the surface of the platelets. In one of the preferred embodiments, the glycan modifying agent is UDP-galactose and the enzyme that catalyzes the addition of the glycan modifying agent to a glycan on the surface of the platelets is galactosyl transferase.

[0023] In some embodiments, the method further comprises chilling the population of platelets prior to, concurrently with, or after contacting the platelets with the at least one glycan modifying agent.

[0024] In some embodiments, the population of platelets retains substantially normal hemostatic activity.

[0025] The step of contacting the population of platelets with at least one glycan modifying agent is performed in a platelet bag.

[0026] The platelets are stored chilled for at least about 3 days, at least about 5 days, at least about 7 days, at least about 10 days, at least about 14 days, at least about 21 days, or at least about 28 days.

[0027] According to another aspect of the invention, a modified platelet is provided. The modified platelet comprises a plurality of modified glycan molecules on the surface of the platelet.

[0028] In some embodiments, the modified glycan molecules are moieties of GP1bα molecules. The modified glycan molecules comprise at least one added sugar molecule. The added sugar may be a natural sugar or may be a non-natural sugar.

[0029] Examples of added sugars include but are not limited to: UDP-galactose and UDP-galactose precursors. In one of the preferred embodiments, the added sugar is UDP-galactose.

[0030] In another aspect, the invention provides a platelet composition comprising a plurality of modified platelets. In some embodiments, the platelet composition further comprises a storage medium. In some embodiments, the platelet composition further comprises a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

[0031] According to yet another aspect of the invention, a method for making a pharmaceutical composition for administration to a mammal is provided. The method comprises the steps of:

[0032] (a) contacting a population of platelets contained in a pharmaceutically-acceptable carrier with at least one glycan modifying agent to form a treated platelet preparation,

[0033] (b) storing the treated platelet preparation, and

[0034] (c) warming the treated platelet preparation.

[0035] In some embodiments, the step of warming the treated platelet preparation is performed by warming the platelets to 37° C.

[0036] In some embodiments, the step of contacting a population of platelets contained in a pharmaceutically-acceptable carrier with at least one glycan modifying agent comprises contacting the platelets with at least one glycan modifying agent in the presence of an enzyme that catalyzes the modification of a glycan moiety. In some embodiments, the method further comprises removing or neutralizing the enzyme in the platelet preparation. Methods of removing or neutralizing the enzyme include, for example, washing the platelet preparation.

[0037] Examples of glycan modifying agents are listed above. In one of the preferred embodiments, the glycan modifying agent is UDP-galactose. In some embodiments, the method further comprises adding an enzyme that catalyzes the addition of the glycan modifying agent to a glycan moiety.

[0038] In one of the preferred embodiments, the glycan modifying agent is UDP-galactose and the enzyme is galactosyl transferase.

[0039] In some embodiments, the population of platelets retain substantially normal hemostatic activity.

[0040] In certain embodiments, the step of contacting the population of platelets with at least one glycan modifying agent is performed in a platelet bag.

[0041] In some embodiments, the platelet preparation is stored at a temperature of less than about 15° C. In some other embodiments, the platelet preparation is stored at room temperature.

[0042] According to yet another aspect of the invention, a method for mediating hemostasis in a mammal is provided. The method comprises administering a plurality of modified platelets or a modified platelet composition to the mammal.

[0043] According to still yet another aspect of the invention, a storage composition for preserving platelets is provided. The composition comprises at least one glycan modifying agent in an amount sufficient to modify glycans to increase the storage time and/or the circulation time of platelets added to the storage composition.

[0044] In some embodiments the composition further comprises an enzyme that catalyzes the modification of a glycan moiety.

[0045] In some embodiments, the composition is stored at a temperature of less than about 15° C. In some other embodiments, the composition is stored at room temperature.

[0046] According to another aspect of the invention, a container for collecting (and optionally processing) platelets is provided. The container comprises at least one glycan modifying agent in an amount sufficient to modify glycans of platelets added to the storage composition.

[0047] In some embodiments, the container further comprises an enzyme that catalyzes the modification of a glycan moiety with the glycan modifying agent.

[0048] In some embodiments the container further comprises a plurality of platelets or plasma comprising a plurality of platelets.

[0049] In some embodiments, the glycan modifying agent is present at a concentration higher than it is in naturally occurring platelets.

[0050] According to still yet another aspect of the invention, a device for collecting and processing platelets is provided. The device comprises: a container for collecting platelets; at least one satellite container in fluid communication with said container; and at least one glycan modifying agent in the satellite container.

[0051] In some embodiments, the glycan modifying agent in the satellite container is present in sufficient amounts to preserve the platelets in the container.

[0052] In some embodiments, the glycan modifying agent in the satellite container is prevented from flowing into the container by a breakable seal.

[0053] These and other aspects of the invention, as well as various advantages and utilities, will be more apparent in reference to the following detailed description of the invention. Each of the limitations of the invention can encompass various embodiments of the invention. It is therefore, anticipated that each of the limitation involving any one element or combination of elements can be included in each aspect of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0054]FIG. 1A shows circulation time in mice of room temperature platelets and of platelets chilled and rewarmed in the presence or absence of EGTA-AM and Cytochalasin B. The curves depict the survival of 5-chloromethylfluorescein diacetate (CMFDA) labeled, room temperature (RT) platelets, platelets chilled at ice-bath temperature (Cold) and rewarmed to room temperature before injection and chilled and rewarmed platelets treated with EGTA-AM and cytochalasin B (Cold+CytoB/EGTA) to preserve their discoid shape. Each curve represents the mean±SD of 6 mice. Identical clearance patterns were observed with ¹¹¹Indium-labeled platelets.

[0055]FIG. 1B shows that chilled platelets aggregate normally in vitro. Washed, chilled-rewarmed (Cold) or room temperature (RT) wild type platelets were stimulated by the addition of the indicated agonists at 37° C. and light transmission was recorded on a standard aggregometer. Aggregation responses of chilled platelets treated with EGTA-AM and cytochalasin B were identical to untreated chilled platelets.

[0056]FIG. 1C shows that cold induced clearance occurs predominantly in the liver of mice. The liver is the primary clearance organ of chilled platelets, containing 60-90% of injected platelets. In contrast, RT platelets are cleared more slowly in the spleen. ¹¹¹Indium labeled platelets were injected into syngeneic mice and tissues were harvested at 0.5, 1 and 24 hours. Data are expressed per gram of tissue. Each bar depicts the mean values of 4 animals analyzed±SD.

[0057]FIG. 1D shows that chilled platelets co-localize with hepatic sinusoidal macrophages (Kupffer cells). This representative confocal-micrograph shows the hepatic distribution of CMFDA-labeled, chilled-rewarmed platelets (green) after 1 hour of transfusion, which preferentially accumulate in periportal and midzonal fields of liver lobules. Kupffer cells were visualized after injection of nile red-labeled spheres. The merged micrograph that shows co-localization of chilled platelets and macrophages in yellow. The lobule organization is indicated (CV: central vein; PV: portal vein, bar: 100 μM).

[0058]FIG. 2 shows that chilled platelets circulate normally in CR3-deficient mice, but not in complement 3 (C3) or vWf deficient mice. CMFDA-labeled chilled-rewarmed (Cold) and room temperature (RT) wild type platelets were transfused into six each of syngeneic wild type (WT), CR3-deficient (A), vWf-deficient (B) and C3-deficient (C) recipient mice and their survival times determined. Chilled platelets circulate in CR3-deficient animals with the same kinetics as room-temperature platelets, but are cleared rapidly from the circulation of C3- or vWf-deficient mice. Data are mean±SD for 6 mice.

[0059]FIG. 3 shows that chilled platelets adhere tightly to CR3-expressing mouse macrophages in vivo. FIG. 3A—Chilled-rewarmed TRITC-labeled platelets (left panel) adhere with a 3-4× higher frequency to liver sinusoids than room temperature CMFDA-labeled platelets (right panel). The intravital fluorescence micrographs were obtained 30 min after the infusion of the platelets. FIG. 3B—Chilled-rewarmed (Cold, open bars) and room temeperature platelets (RT, filled bars) adhere to sinusoidal regions with high macrophage density (midzonal) with similar distributions in wild type mice. FIG. 3C—Chilled-rewarmed platelets adhere 3-4× more than room temperature platelets to macrophages in the wild type liver (open bars). In contrast, chilled-rewarmed or room temperature platelets have identical adherence to macrophages in CR3-deficient mice (filled bars). 9 experiments with wild type mice and 4 experiments with CR3-deficient mice are shown (mean±SEM, *P<0.05: **P<0.01).

[0060]FIG. 4 shows that GPIbα mediates chilled platelet clearance, aggregates in the cold, but binds activated vWf normally on chilled platelets. FIG. 4A—CMFDA-labeled platelets enzymatically cleared of the GP1bα extracellular domain (left panel, inset, filled area) or control platelets were kept at room temperature (left panel) or chilled-rewarmed (right panel) infused into syngeneic wild type mice, and platelet survivals were determined. Each survival curve represents the mean values ±SD for 6 mice. FIG. 4B—Chilled, or RT platelet rich plasma was treated with (shaded area) or without (open area) botrocetin. vWf bound was detected using FITC labeled anti-vWf antibody. FIG. 4C—The vWf receptor redistributes from linear arrays (RT) into aggregates (Chilled) on the surface of chilled murine platelets. Fixed, chilled-rewarmed, or room temperature platelets (RT) were incubated with monoclonal rat anti-mouse GP1bα antibodies followed by 10 nm colloidal gold particles coated with goat anti-rat IgG. The bars are 100 nm. Inset: low magnification of platelets.

[0061]FIG. 5 shows GP1bα-CR3 interaction mediates phagocytosis of chilled human platelets in vitro. FIGS. 5A and 5B show a representative assay result of THP-1 cells incubated with room temperature (RT) (FIG. 5A) or chilled-rewarmed (Cold) platelets (FIG. 5B). CM-Orange-labeled platelets associated with macrophages shift in orange fluorescence up the y axis. The mean percentage of the CM-Orange positive native macrophages incubated with platelets kept at room temperature was normalized to 1. Chilling of platelets increases this shift from ˜4% to 20%. The platelets are predominantly ingested, because they do not dual label with the FITC-conjugated mAb to CD61. FIG. 5C Undifferentiated (open bars) THP-1 cells express ˜50% less CR3, and ingest half as many chilled-rewarmed platelets. Differentiation (filled bars) of CR3 expression however, had no significant effect on the uptake of RT platelets. Treatment of human platelets with the snake venom metalloprotease, mocarhagin (Moc), which removes the N-terminus of GP1bα from the surface of human platelets (inset; control: solid line, mocarhagin treated platelets: shaded area), reduced phagocytosis of chilled platelets by ˜98%. Data shown are means±SD of 5 experiments.

[0062]FIG. 6 shows circulating, chilled platelets have hemostatic function in CR3 deficient mice. Normal in vivo function of room temperature (RT) platelets transfused into wild type mice (FIGS. 6A and 6B) and of chilled (Cold) platelets transfused into CR-3 deficient mice (FIGS. 6C and 6D), as determined by their equivalent presence in platelet aggregates emerging from the wound 24 hrs after infusion of autologous CMFDA labeled platelets. Peripheral blood (FIGS. 6A and 6C) and the blood emerging from the wound (shed blood, FIGS. 6B and 6D) were analyzed by whole blood flow cytometry. Platelets were identified by forward light scatter characteristics and binding of the PE-conjugated anti-GP1bα mAb (pOp4). The infused platelets (dots) were identified by their CMFDA fluorescence and the non-infused platelets (contour lines) by their lack of CMFDA fluorescence. In the peripheral whole blood samples, analysis regions were plotted around the GPIbα-positive particles to include 95% of the population on the forward scatter axis (region 1) and the 5% of particles appearing above this forward light scatter threshold were defined as aggregates (region 2). The percentages refer to the number of aggregates formed by CMFDA-positive platelets. This shown result is representative of 4 experiments. FIG. 6E shows ex vivo function of CM-Orange, room temperature (RT) platelets transfused into wild type mice and CM-Orange, chilled-rewarmed (Cold) platelets transfused into CR3 deficient mice, as determined by exposure of P-selectin and fibrinogen binding following thrombin (1 U/ml) activation of blood drawn from the mice after 24 hours post infusion. CM-Orange labeled platelets have a circulation half-life time comparable to that of CMFDA labeled platelets (not shown). Transfused platelets were identified by their CM-Orange fluorescence (filled bars). Non-transfused (non-labeled) analyzed platelets are represented as open bars. Results are expressed as the percentage of cells present in the P-selectin and fibrinogen positive regions (region 2). Data are mean±SD for 4 mice.

[0063]FIG. 7 is a schematic depicting two platelet clearance pathways. Platelets traverse central and peripheral circulations, undergoing reversible priming at lower temperatures at the body surface. Repeated priming leads to irreversible GPIb-IX-V (vWfR) receptor complex reconfiguration and clearance by complement receptor type 3 (CR3) bearing hepatic macrophages. Platelets are also cleared after they participate in microvascular coagulation.

[0064]FIG. 8 shows the effect of monosaccharides on phagocytosis of chilled platelets.

[0065]FIG. 9 shows the dot plots of binding of WGA lectin to room temperature platelets or chilled platelets.

[0066]FIG. 10 shows the analysis of various FITC labeled lectins bound to room temperature or chilled platelets.

[0067]FIG. 11A shows the summary of FITC-WGA binding to the surface of room temperature or chilled platelets obtained by flow cytometry before and after β-hexosaminidase treatment.

[0068]FIG. 11B shows that GPIbα removal from the platelet surface reduced FITC-WGA binding to chilled platelets.

[0069]FIG. 12 shows that galactose transfer onto platelet oligosaccharides reduces chilled platelet (Cold) phagocytosis, but does not affect the phagocytosis of room temperature (RT) platelets.

[0070]FIG. 13 shows the survival of chilled, galactosylated murine platelets relative to untreated platelets.

[0071]FIG. 14 shows that platelets containing galactose transferases on their surface transfer galactose without the addition of external transferases as judged by WGA binding (FIG. 14A) and in vitro phagocytosis results for human platelets (FIG. 14B). FIG. 14C shows that of UDP-galactose with or without Galactose transferase (GalT) on survival of murine platelets. UDP-galactose with or without GalT was added to murine platelets before chilling for 30 min at 37° C. The platelets were chilled for 2 hours in an ice bath and then transfused (10⁸ platelets/mouse) into mice and their survival determined.

[0072]FIG. 15 shows the time course of ¹⁴C-labeled UDP-galactose incorporation into human platelets.

[0073]FIG. 16 shows galactosylation of platelets in four platelet concentrate samples at different concentrations of UDP-galactose.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0074] The invention provides a population of modified platelets that have enhanced circulation properties and that retain substantially normal in vivo hemostatic activity. Hemostatic activity refers broadly to the ability of a population of platelets to mediate bleeding cessation. Various assays are available for determining platelet hemostatic activity (Bennett, J. S. and Shattil, S. J., 1990, “Platelet function,” Hematology, Williams, W. J., et al., Eds. McGraw Hill, pp 1233-12250). However, demonstration of “hemostasis” or “hemostatic activity” ultimately requires a demonstration that platelets infused into a thrombocytopenic or thrombopathic (i.e., non-functional platelets) animal or human circulate and stop natural or experimentally-induced bleeding.

[0075] Short of such a demonstration, laboratories use in vitro tests as surrogates for determining hemostatic activity. These tests, which include assays of aggregation, secretion, platelet morphology and metabolic changes, measure a wide variety of platelet functional responses to activation. It is generally accepted in the art that the in vitro tests are reasonably indicative of hemostatic function in vivo.

[0076] Substantially normal hemostatic activity refers to an amount of hemostatic activity that is about the same as the hemostatic activity of a freshly isolated population of platelets.

[0077] The instant invention provides methods for increasing circulation time of a population of platelets and increasing the storage time of platelets. Also provided are platelet compositions methods and compositions for the preservation of platelets with preserved hemostatic activity as well as methods for making a pharmaceutical composition containing the preserved platelets and for administering the pharmaceutical composition to a mammal to mediate hemostasis.

[0078] In one aspect of the invention, the method for increasing circulation time of an isolated population of platelets involves contacting an isolated population of platelets with at least one glycan modifying agent in an amount effective to reduce the clearance of the population of platelets. As used herein, a population of platelets refers to one or more platelets. A population of platelets includes a platelet conentrate. The tern “isolated” means separated from its native environment and present in sufficient quantity to permit its identification or use. As used herein with respect to a population of platelets, isolated means removed from blood circulation. The circulation time of a population of platelets is defined as the time when one-half of the platelets are no longer circulating. As used herein, “clearance” means removal of platelets from blood circulation (such as by macrophage phagocytosis).

[0079] A glycan modifying agent refers to an agent that modifies terminal glycan residues recognized by macrophages, preferably on GP1bα, such that the macrophages no longer phagocytose the platelets. As used herein, a “glycan” or “glycan residue” is a polysaccharide moiety on surface of the platelet. A “terminal” glycan or glycan residue is the glycan at the terminus of a polysaccharide, which typically is attached to polypeptides on the platelet surface.

[0080] In some embodiments, the glycan modifying agent is selected from the group consisting of uridine diphosphate galactose (UDP-galactose) and UDP-galactose precursors. In some preferred embodiments, the glycan modifying agent is UDP-galactose. UDP-galactose is an intermediate in galactose metabolism, formed by the enzyme UDP-glucose-α-D-galactose-1-phosphate uridylyltransferase which catalyzes the release of glucose-1-phosphate from UDP-glucose in exchange for galactose-1-phosphate to make UDP-galactose. Methods for synthesis and production of UDP-galactose are well known in the art and described in the literature (see for example, Liu et al, Chem Bio Chem 3, 348-355, 2002; Heidlas et al, J. Org. Chem. 57, 152-157; Butler et al, Nat. Biotechnol. 8, 281-284, 2000; Koizumi et al, Carbohydr. Res. 316, 179-183, 1999; Endo et al, Appl. Microbiol., Biotechnol. 53, 257-261, 2000). UDP-galactose precursors are molecules, compounds, or intermediate compounds that may be converted (e.g., enzymatically or biochemically) to UDP-galactose. One non-limiting example of a UDP-galactose precursor is UDP-glucose. In certain embodiments, an enzyme that converts a UDP-galactose precursor to UDP-galactose is added to a reaction mixture (e.g. in a platelet container).

[0081] An effective amount of a glycan modifying agent means, that amount of the glycan modifying agent that increases circulation time and/or reduces the clearance of a population of platelets by modification of a sufficient number of glycan residues on the surface of platelets.

[0082] Modification of platelets with UDP-galactose can be preformed as follows. The population of platelets is incubated with different concentrations (1-1000 μM) of UDP-galactose for at least 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 40, 60, 120, 180, 240, or 300 min. at 22° C.-37° C. In some embodiments 0.1-500 mU/ml galactose transferase is added to the population of platelets. Galactose transfer can be monitored functionally using FITC-WGA (wheat germ agglutinin) binding. The goal of the glycan modification reaction is to reduce WGA binding to resting room temperature WGA binding-levels. Galactose transfer can be quantified using ¹⁴C-UDP-galactose. Non-radioactive UDP-galactose is mixed with ¹⁴C-UDP-galactose to obtain appropriate galactose transfer. The transfer reaction is performed as described above. Platelets are extensively washed, and the incorporated radioactivity measured using a γ-counter. The measured cpm permits calculation of the incorporated galactose.

[0083] As used herein, clearance of a population of platelets refers to the removal of a population of platelets from a unit volume of blood or serum per unit of time. Reducing the clearance of a population of platelets refers to preventing, delaying, or reducing the clearance of the population of platelets. Reducing clearance of platelets also may mean reducing the rate of platelet clearance.

[0084] Reducing the clearance of a platelet encompasses reducing clearance of platelets after storage at room temperature, or after chilling, as well as “cold-induced platelet activation”. Cold-induced platelet activation is a term having a particular meaning to one of ordinary skill in the art. Cold-induced platelet activation may manifest by changes in platelet morphology, some of which are similar to the changes that result following platelet activation by, for example, contact with glass. The structural changes indicative of cold-induced platelet activation are most easily identified using techniques such as light or electron microscopy. On a molecular level, cold-induced platelet activation results in actin bundle formation and a subsequent increase in the concentration of intracellular calcium. Actin-bundle formation is detected using, for example, electron microscopy. An increase in intracellular calcium concentration is determined, for example, by employing fluorescent intracellular calcium chelators. Many of the above-described chelators for inhibiting actin filament severing are also useful for determining the concentration of intracellular calcium (Tsien, R., 1980, supra.). Accordingly, various techniques are available to determine whether or not platelets have experienced cold-induced activation.

[0085] The effect of galactose incorporation on platelet clearance can be measured for example using either an in vitro system employing differentiated THP-1 cells or murine macrophages, isolated from the peritoneal cavity after thioglycolate injection stimulation. The rate of clearance of modified platelets compared to unmodified platelets is determined. In these in vitro methods, galactose transfer is performed according to the protocol described above to modify platelets. The modified platelets then are fed to the macrophages and ingestion of the platelets by the macrophages is monitored. The in vitro assay shows if galactose transfer results in reduced ingestion of murine chilled platelets, as it does for human platelets.

[0086] In some embodiments, the method for increasing circulation time of a population of platelets further comprises adding an enzyme that catalyzes the modification of a glycan moiety with a glycan modifying agent. One example of an enzyme that catalyzes the modification of a glycan moiety is galactosyl transferase. Galactosyl transferase catalyzes the glycation of the GP1bα molecule with UDP-galactose.

[0087] In some embodiments, the step of contacting the population of platelets with at least one glycan modifying agent is performed in a platelet bag.

[0088] In accordance with the invention, the population of platelets can be chilled without the deleterious effects (cold-induced platelet activation) usually experienced on chilling of platelets. The population of platelets can be chilled prior to, concurrently with, or after contacting the platelets with the at least one glycan modifying agent. The selective modification of glycan moieties reduces clearance, following chilling (also if not chilled), thus permitting longer-term storage than is presently possible. As used herein, chilling refers to lowering the temperature of the population of platelets to a temperature that is less than about 22° C. In some embodiments, the platelets are chilled to a temperature that is less than about 15° C. In some preferred embodiments, the platelets are chilled to a temperature ranging from between about 0° C. to about 4° C.

[0089] In some embodiments, the population of platelets are stored chilled for at least 3 days. In some embodiments, the population of platelets are stored chilled for at least 5, 7, 10, 14, 21, and 28 days.

[0090] In some embodiments of the invention, the circulation time of the population of platelets is increased by at least about 10%. In some other embodiments, the circulation time of the population of platelets is increased by at least about 25%. In yet some other embodiments, the circulation time of the population of platelets is increased by at least about 50%. In still yet other embodiments, the circulation time of the population of platelets is increased by about 100%. As used herein, circulation time of a population of platelets is defined as the time when one-half of the platelets are no longer circulating.

[0091] The invention also embraces a method for increasing the storage time of platelets. As used herein the storage time of platelets is defined as the time that platelets can be stored without substantial loss of platelet function or hemostatic activity such as the loss of the ability to circulate. For example, ability to circulate after storage is reduced by less than about 1%, 2%, 3%, 5%, 10%, 20%, 30%, or 50%.

[0092] The platelets are collected from peripheral blood by standard techniques known to those of ordinary skill in the art. In some embodiments, the platelets are contained in a pharmaceutically-acceptable carrier prior to treatment with a glycan modifying agent.

[0093] According to another aspect of the invention, a modified platelet or a population of modified platelets is provided. The modified platelet comprises a plurality of modified glycan molecules on the surface of the platelet. In some embodiments, the modified glycan moieties may be moieties of GP1bα molecules. The modified glycan molecules comprise at least one added sugar molecule. The added sugar may be a natural sugar or may be a non-natural sugar.

[0094] The invention also encompasses a platelet composition in a storage medium. In some embodiments the storage medium comprises a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

[0095] The term “pharmaceutically acceptable” means a non-toxic material that does not interfere with the effectiveness of the biological activity of the platelets and that is a non-toxic material that is compatible with a biological system such as a cell, cell culture, tissue, or organism. Pharmaceutically acceptable carriers include diluents, fillers, salts, buffers, stabilizers, solubilizers, and other materials which are well known in the art.

[0096] The invention further embraces a method for making a pharmaceutical composition for administration to a mammal. The method comprises preparing the above-described platelet preparation, and warming the platelet preparation. In some embodiments, the method comprises neutralizing the glycan modifying agent(s) and/or the enzyme(s) that catalyze the modification of the glycan moiety and placing the neutralized platelet preparation in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. In a preferred embodiment, the chilled platelets are warmed to room temperature (about 22° C.) prior to neutralization. In some embodiments, the platelets are contained in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier prior to contact with the glycan modifying agent(s) with or without the enzyme(s) that catalyze the modification of the glycan moiety and it is not necessary to place the platelet preparation in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier following neutralization.

[0097] As used herein, the terms “neutralize” or “neutralization” refer to a process by which the glycan modifying agent(s) and/or the enzyme(s) that catalyze the modification of the glycan moiety are rendered substantially incapable of glycan modification of the glycan residues on the platelets. In some embodiments, the chilled platelets are neutralized by dilution, e.g., with a suspension of red blood cells. Alternatively, the treated platelets can be infused into the recipient, which is equivalent to dilution into a red blood cell suspension. This method of neutralization advantageously maintains a closed system and minimizes damage to the platelets. In a preferred embodiment of glycan modifying agents, no neutralization is required

[0098] An alternative method to reduce toxicity is by inserting a filter in the infusion line, the filter containing, e.g. activated charcoal or an immobilized antibody, to remove the glycan modifying agent(s) and/or the enzyme(s) that catalyze the modification of the glycan moiety.

[0099] Either or both of the glycan modifying agent(s) and the enzyme(s) that catalyze the modification of the glycan moiety also may be removed or substantially diluted by washing the modified platelets in accordance with standard clinical cell washing techniques.

[0100] The invention further provides a method for mediating hemostasis in a mammal. The method includes administering the above-described pharmaceutical preparation to the mammal. Administration of the modified platelets may be in accordance with standard methods known in the art. According to one embodiment, a human patient is transfused with red blood cells before, after or during administration of the modified platelets. The red blood cell transfusion serves to dilute the administered, modified platelets, thereby neutralizing the glycan modifying agent(s) and the enzyme(s) that catalyze the modification of the glycan moiety.

[0101] The dosage regimen for mediating hemostasis is selected in accordance with a variety of factors, including the type, age, weight, sex and medical condition of the subject, the severity of the disease, the route and frequency of administration. An ordinarily skilled physician or clinician can readily determine and prescribe the effective amount of platelets required to mediate hemostasis.

[0102] The dosage regimen can be determined, for example, by following the response to the treatment in terms clinical signs and laboratory tests. Examples of such clinical signs and laboratory tests are well known in the art and are described Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine, 15th Ed., Fauci AS et al., eds., McGraw-Hill, New York, 2001.

[0103] Also within the scope of the invention are storage compositions and pharmaceutical compositions for mediating hemostasis. In one embodiment, the compositions comprise a pharmaceutically-acceptable carrier, a plurality of modified platelets, a plurality of glycan modifying agent(s) and optionally the enzyme(s) that catalyze the modification of the glycan moiety. The glycan modifying agent(s) and the enzyme(s) that catalyze the modification of the glycan moiety are present in the composition in sufficient amounts so as to reduce platelet clearance. Preferably, glycan modifying agent(s) (and optionally the enzyme(s) that catalyze the modification of the glycan moiety) are present in amounts whereby after chilling and neutralization, the platelets maitain substantially normal hemostatic activity. The amounts of glycan modifying agent(s) (and optionally the enzyme(s) that catalyze the modification of the glycan moiety) which reduce platelet clearance can be selected by exposing a preparation of platelets to increasing amounts of these agents, exposing the treated platelets to a chilling temperature and determining (e.g., by microscopy) whether or not cold-induced platelet activation has occurred. Preferably, the amounts of glycan modifying agent(s) and the enzyme(s) that catalyze the modification of the glycan moiety can be determined functionally by exposing the platelets to varying amounts of glycan modifying agent(s) and the enzyme(s) that catalyze the modification of the glycan moiety, chilling the platelets as described herein, warming the treated (chilled) platelets, optionally neutralizing the platelets and testing the platelets in a hemostatic activity assay to determine whether the treated platelets have maintained sustantially normal hemostatic activity.

[0104] For example, to determine the optimal concentrations and conditions for preventing cold-induced activation by a glycan modifying agent(s) (and optionally the enzyme(s) that catalyze the modification of the glycan moiety), increasing amounts of these agents are contacted with the platelets prior to exposing the platelets to a chilling temperature. The optimal concentrations of the glycan modifying agent(s) and the enzyme(s) that catalyze the modification of the glycan moiety are the minimal effective concentrations that preserve intact platelet function as determined by in vitro tests (e.g., observing morphological changes in response to glass, thrombin, cryopreservation temperatures; ADP-induced aggregation) followed by in vivo tests indicative of hemostatic function (e.g., recovery, survival and shortening of bleeding time in a thrombocytopenic animal or recovery and survival of ⁵¹Cr-labeled platelets in human subjects).

[0105] According to yet another aspect of the invention, a composition for addition to platelets to reduce platelet clearance or to increase platelet storage time is provided. The composition includes one or more glycan modifying agents. In certain embodiments, the composition also includes an enzyme(s) that catalyze the modification of the glycan moiety. The glycan modifying agent and the enzyme(s) that catalyzes the modification of the glycan moiety are present in the composition in amounts that prevent cold-induced platelet activation. In one preferred embodiment, the glycan modifying agent is UDP-galactose and the enzyme(s) that catalyze the modification of the glycan moiety is galactosyl transferase.

[0106] The invention also embraces a storage composition for preserving platelets. The storage composition comprises at least one glycan modifying agent in an amount sufficient to reduce platelet clearance. In some embodiments the storage composition further comprises an enzyme that catalyzes the modification of a glycan moiety on the platelet. The glycan modifying agent is added to the population of platelets that are preferably kept between about room temperature and 37° C. In some embodiments, following treatment, the population of platelets is cooled to about 4° C. In some embodiments, the platelets are collected into a platelet pack, bag, or container according to standard methods known to one of skill in the art. Typically, blood from a donor is drawn into a primary container which may be joined to at least one satellite container, all of which containers are connected and sterilized before use. In some embodiments, the satellite container is connected to the container for collecting platelets by a breakable seal. In some embodiments, the primary container further comprises plasma containing a plurality of platelets.

[0107] In some embodiments, the platelets are concentrated (e.g. by centrifugation) and the plasma and red blood cells are drawn off into separate satellite bags (to avoid modification of these clinically valuable fractions) prior to adding the glycan modifying agent with or without the enzyme that catalyzes the modification of a glycan moiety on the platelet. Platelet concentration prior to treatment also may minimize the amounts of glycan modifying agents required for reducing the platelet clearance, thereby minimizing the amounts of these agents that are eventually infused into the patient.

[0108] In one embodiment, the glycan modifying agent(s) are contacted with the platelets in a closed system, e.g. a sterile, sealed platelet pack, so as to avoid microbial contamination. Typically, a venipuncture conduit is the only opening in the pack during platelet procurement or transfusion. Accordingly, to maintain a closed system during treatment of the platelets with the glycan modifying agent(s), the agent(s) is placed in a relatively small, sterile container which is attached to the platelet pack by a sterile connection tube (see e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 4,412,835, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference). The connection tube may be reversibly sealed, or have a breakable seal, as will be known to those of skill in the art. After the platelets are concentrated, e.g. by allowing the platelets to settle and squeezing the plasma out of the primary pack and into a second bag according to standard practice, the seal to the container(s) including the glycan modifying agent(s) is opened and the agents are introduced into the platelet pack. In one embodiment, the glycan modifying agents are contained in separate containers having separate resealable connection tubes to permit the sequential addition of the glycan modifying agents to the platelet concentrate.

[0109] Following contact with the glycan modifying agent(s), the treated platelets are chilled. In contrast to platelets stored at, for example, 22° C., platelets stored at cryopreservation temperatures have substantially reduced metabolic activity. Thus, platelets stored at 4° C. are metabolically less active and therefore do not generate large amounts of CO₂ compared with platelets stored at, for example, 22° C. (Slichter, S. J., 1981, Vox Sang 40 (Suppl 1), pp 72-86, Clinical Testing and Laboratory-Clinical correlations.). Dissolution of CO₂ in the platelet matrix results in a reduction in pH and a concommittant reduction in platelet viability (Slichter, S., 1981, supra.). Accordingly, conventional platelet packs are formed of materials that are designed and constructed of a sufficiently permeable material to maximize gas transport into and out of the pack (O₂ in and CO₂ out). The prior art limitations in platelet pack design and construction are obviated by the instant invention, which permits storage of platelets at cryopreservation temperatures, thereby substantially reducing platelet metabolism and diminishing the amount of CO₂ generated by the platelets during storage. Accordingly, the invention further provides platelet containers that are substantially non-permeable to CO₂ and/or CO₂ which containers are useful particularly for cold storage of platelets.

[0110] The invention will be more fully understood by reference to the following examples. These examples, however, are merely intended to illustrate the embodiments of the invention and are not to be construed to limit the scope of the invention.

EXAMPLES Example 1

[0111] Introduction

[0112] Modest cooling primes platelets for activation, but refrigeration causes shape changes and rapid clearance, compromising storage of platelets for therapeutic transfusions. We found that shape change inhibition does not normalize cold-induced clearance. We also found that cooling platelets rearranges the surface configuration of the von Willebrand factor (vWf) receptor complex α subunit (GPIbα) such that it becomes targeted for recognition by complement receptor 3 receptors (CR3) predominantly expressed on liver macrophages, leading to platelet phagocytosis and clearance. GPIb α removal prolongs survival of unchilled platelets. Chilled platelets bind vWf and function normally in vitro and ex vivo after transfusion into CR3-deficient mice. Cooled platelets, however, are not “activated” like platelets exposed to thrombin or ADP, and their vWf-receptor complex reacts normally with activated vWf.

[0113] As the temperature falls below 37° C. platelets become more susceptible to activation by thrombotic stimuli, a phenomenon known as “priming” (Faraday and Rosenfeld, 1998; Hoffmeister et al., 2001). Priming may be an adaptation to limit bleeding at lower temperatures of body surfaces where most injuries occur. We propose that the hepatic clearance system's purpose is to remove repeatedly primed platelets, and that conformational changes in GPIbα that promote this clearance do not affect GPIbα's hemostatically important binding to vWf. Therefore, selective modification of GPIbα may accommodate cold storage of platelets for transfusion.

[0114] Materials and Methods

[0115] We obtained fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-conjugated annexin V, phycoerythrin (PE)-conjugated anti-human CD1 1b/Mac-1 monoclonal antibodies (mAb), FITC-conjugated anti-mouse and anti-human IgM mAb, FITC-conjugated anti-mouse and anti-human CD62P-FITC mAb from Pharmingen (San Diego, Calif.); FITC-conjugated rat anti-mouse anti-human IgG mAb from Santa Cruz Biotechnology, Inc. (Santa Cruz, Calif.); FITC-conjugated anti-human CD61 mAbs (clone BL-E6) from Accurate Scientific Corp. (Westbury, N.Y.); FITC-conjugated anti-human GPIbα mAb (clone SZ2) from Immunotech (Marseille, France); and FITC-conjugated polyclonal rabbit anti-vWf antibody from DAKOCytomation (Glostrup, Denmark). We purchased EGTA-acetoxymethylester (AM), Oregon Green coupled fibrinogen from human plasma, CellTracker™ Orange CMTMR; CellTracker Green CMFDA, Nile-red (535/575) coupled and carboxylate-modified 1 μm microspheres/FluoSpheres from Molecular Probes, Inc. (Eugene, Oreg.) and ¹¹¹Indium from NEN Life Science Products (Boston, Mass.). We purchased Cytochalasin B, dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), trisodium isothiocyanate (TRITC), human thrombin, prostaglandin E1 (PGE₁), phorbol ester 12-tetradecanoylphorbol-13 acetate (PMA), A23187 ionophore from Sigma (St. Louis, Mo.); botrocetin from Centerchem Inc. (Norwalk, Conn.); and O-sialoglycoprotein-endopeptidase from Cerladane (Hornby, Canada). HBSS containing Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺, pH 6.4; RPMI 1640; 0.05% Trypsin-EDTA (0.53 mM) in HBSS without Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺; and other supplements (penicillin, streptomycin and fetal bovine serum) were from GIBCO Invitrogen Corp. (Grand Island, N.Y.). TGF-β1 from Oncogene Research Products (Cambridge, Mass.); 1,25-(OH)₂ vitamin D3 from Calbiochem (San Diego, Calif.); and Adenosine-5′-Diphosphate (ADP) were from USB (Cleveland, Ohio). Avertin (2,2,2-tribromoethanol) was purchased from Fluka Chemie (Steinheim, Germany). Collagen related peptide (CRP) was synthesized at the Tufts Core Facility, Physiology Dept. (Boston, Mass.) and cross-linked as previously described (Morton et al., 1995). Mocarhagin, a snake venom metalloprotease, was provided by Dr. M. Berndt, Baker Medical Research Institute, Melbourne Victoria 318 1, Australia. Additional unconjugated anti mouse GPIbα mAbs and a PE-conjugated anti-mouse GPIbα mAb pOp4 were provided by Dr. B. Nieswandt (Witten/Herdecke University, Wuppertal, Germany). We obtained THP-1 cells from the American Type Culture Collection (Manassas, Va.).

[0116] Animals

[0117] For assays of clearance and survival studies, we used age-, strain- and sex-matched C57BL/6 and C57BL/6×129/sv wild type mice obtained from Jackson Laboratory (Bar Harbor, Me.). C57BL/6×129/sv mice deficient in complement component C3 (Wessels et al., 1995) were provided by Dr. M. C. Carroll (Center for Blood Research and Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Mass.). C57BL/6 mice deficient in CR3 (Coxon et al., 1996) were provided by Dr. T Mayadas and C57BL/6 mice deficient in vWf(Denis et al., 1998) were provided by Dr. D. Wagner. Mice were maintained and treated as approved by Harvard Medical Area Standing Committee on Animals according to NIH standards as set forth in The Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals.

[0118] Human Platelets

[0119] Blood was drawn from consenting normal human volunteers (approval was obtained from the Institutional Review Boards of both Brigham and Women's Hospital and the Center for Blood Research (Harvard Medical School)) by venipuncture into 0.1 volume of Aster-Jandl citrate-based anticoagulant (Hartwig and DeSisto, 1991) and platelet rich plasma (PRP) was prepared by centrifugation of the anticoagulated blood at 300×g for 20 min at room temperature. Platelets were separated from plasma proteins by gel-filtration at room temperature through a small Sepharose 2B column (Hoffmeister et al., 2001). Platelets used in the in vitro phagocytosis assay described below were labeled with 1.8 μM CellTracker™ Orange CMTMR (CM-Orange) for 20 min at 37° C. (Brown et al., 2000), and unincorporated dye was removed by centrifugation (850×g, 5 min.) with 5 volumes of washing buffer containing 140 mM NaCl, 5 mM KCl, 12 mM trisodium citrate, 10 mM glucose, and 12.5 mM sucrose, 1 μg/ml PGE₁, pH 6.0 (buffer A). Platelets were resuspended at 3×10⁸/ml in a solution containing 140 mM NaCl, 3 mM KCl, 0.5 mM MgCl₂, 5 mM NaHCO₃, 10 mM glucose and 10 mM Hepes, pH 7.4 (buffer B).

[0120] The N-terminus of GPIbα was enzymatically removed from the surface of chilled or room temperature maintained and labeled platelets in buffer B, also containing 1 mM Ca²⁺ and 10 μg/ml of the snake venom metalloprotease mocarhagin (Ward et al., 1996). After the enzymatic digestion, the platelets were washed by centrifugation with 5× volume of buffer A and routinely checked by microscopy for aggregates. GPIbα-N-terminus removal was monitored by incubating platelet suspensions with 5 μg/ml of FITC-conjugated anti-human GPIbα (SZ2) mAb for 10 min at room temperature and followed by immediate flow cytometry analysis on a FACScalibur Flow Cytometer (Becton Dickinson Biosciences, San Jose, Calif.). Platelets were gated by forward/side scatter characteristics and 50,000 events acquired.

[0121] Murine Platelets

[0122] Mice were anesthetized with 3.75 mg/g (2.5%) of Avertin, and 1 ml blood was obtained from the retroorbital eye plexus into 0.1 volume of Aster-Jandl anticoagulant. PRP was prepared by centrifugation of anticoagulated blood at 300×g for 8 min at room temperature. Platelets were separated from plasma proteins by centrifugation at 1200×g for 5 min and washed two times by centrifugation (1200×g for 5 min) using 5× volumes of washing buffer (buffer A). This procedure is meant by subsequent use of the term “washed”. Platelets were resuspended at a concentration of 1×10⁹/ml in a solution containing 140 mM NaCl, 3 mM KCl, 0.5 mM MgCl₂, 5 mM NaHCO₃, 10 mM glucose and 10 mM Hepes, pH 7.4 (buffer B). Platelet count was determined using a Bright Line Hemocytometer (Hausser Scientific, Horsham, Pa.) under a phase-contrast microscope at 400× magnification. Some radioactive platelet clearance studies were performed with ¹¹¹Indium, and we labeled mouse platelets using a method described for primate platelets (Kotze et al., 1985). Platelets were resuspended at a concentration of 2×10⁹/ml in 0.9% NaCl, pH 6.5 (adjusted with 0.1 M sodium citrate), followed by the addition of 500 μCi ¹¹¹Indium chloride for 30 min at 37° C. and washed as described above and suspended in buffer B at a concentration of 1×10⁹/ml.

[0123] For intravital microscopy or other platelet survival experiments, washed platelets were labeled either with 2.5 μM CellTracker Green CMFDA (5-chloromethyl fluorescein diacetate) (CMFDA) for 20 min at 37° C. (Baker et al., 1997) or with 0.15 μM TRITC for 20 min at 37° C. In buffer B also containing 0.001% DMSO, 20 mM HEPES. Unincorporated dye was removed by centrifugation as described above, and platelets were suspended at a concentration of 1×10⁹/ml in buffer B.

[0124] The N-terminus of GPIbα was enzymatically removed from the surface of chilled or room temperature labeled platelets with 100 μg/ml O-sialoglycoprotein endopeptidase in buffer B containing 1 mM Ca²⁺ for 20 min at 37° C. (Bergmeier et al., 2001). After enzymatic digestion, platelets were washed by centrifugation and checked by light microscopy for aggregates. Enzymatic removal of the GPIbα-N-terminus removal was monitored by incubating the platelet suspensions with 5 μg/ml of PE-conjugated anti-mouse GPIbα mAb pOp4 for 10 min at room temperature, and bound PE analyzed by flow cytometry.

[0125] To inhibit cold-induced platelet shape changes, 10⁹/ml platelets in buffer B were loaded with 2 μM EGTA-AM followed by 2 μM cytochalasin B as previously described (Winokur and Hartwig, 1995), labeled with 2.5 μM CMFDA for 30 min at 37° C. and then chilled or maintained at room temperature. The platelets were subjected to standard washing and suspended at a concentration of 1×10⁹/ml in buffer B before injection into mice.

[0126] Platelet Temperature Protocols

[0127] To study the effects of temperature on platelet survival or function, unlabeled, radioactively labeled, or fluorescently-labeled mouse or human platelets were incubated for 2 hours at room temperature (25-27° C.) or else at ice bath temperatures and then rewarmed for 15 minutes at 37° C. before transfusion into mice or in vitro analysis. Platelets subjected to these treatments are designated cooled or chilled (or chilled, rewarmed) and room temperature platelets respectively.

[0128] Murine Platelet Recovery, Survival and Fate

[0129] CMFDA labeled chilled or room temperature murine platelets (10⁸) were injected into syngeneic mice via the lateral tail vein using a 27-gauge needle. For recovery and survival determination, blood samples were collected immediately (<2 min) and 0.5, 2, 24, 48, 72 hours after transfusion into 0.1 volume of Aster-Jandl anticoagulant. Whole blood analysis using flow cytometry was performed and the percentage of CMFDA positive platelets determined by gating on all platelets according to their forward and side scatter characteristics (Baker et al., 1997). 50,000 events were collected in each sample. CMFDA positive platelets measured at a time <2 min was set as 100%. The input of transfused platelets per mouse was ˜2.5-3% of the whole platelet population.

[0130] To evaluate the fate of platelets, tissues (heart, lung, liver, spleen, mucle, and femur) were harvested at 0.5, 1 and 24 hours after the injection of 10⁸ chilled or room temperature ¹¹¹Indium labeled platelets into mice. The organ-weight and their radioactivity were determined using a Wallac 1470 Wizard automatic gamma counter (Wallac Inc., Gaitersburg, Md.). The data were expressed as gamma count per gram organ. For recovery and survival determination of radioactive platelets, blood samples were collected immediately (<2 min) and 0.5 and hours after transfusion into 0.1 volume of Aster-Jandl anticoagulant and their gamma counts determined (Kotze et al., 1985).

[0131] Platelet Aggregation

[0132] Conventional tests were performed and monitored in a Bio/Data aggregometer (Horsham, Pa.). Samples of 0.3-ml murine washed and stirred platelets were exposed to 1 U/ml thrombin, 10 μM ADP, or 3 μg/ml CRP at 37° C. Light transmission was recorded over 3 min.

[0133] Activated VWf Binding

[0134] Platelet rich plasma was treated with or without 2 U/ml botrocetin for 5 min at 37° C. (Bergmeier et al., 2001). Bound vWf was detected by flow cytometry using FITC conjugated polyconal rabbit anti-vWf antibody.

[0135] Surface Labeling of Platelet GPIbα

[0136] Resting mouse platelets maintained at room temperature or chilled 2 hrs were diluted to a concentration of 2×10⁶/ml in phosphate buffered saline (PBS) containing 0.05% glutaraldehyde. Platelet solutions (200 μl) were placed on a polylysine-coated glass coverslip contained in wells of 96-well plate, and the platelets were adhered to each coverslip by centrifugation at 1,500×g for 5 min at room temperature. The supernatant fluid was then removed, and platelets bound to the coverslip were fixed with 0.5% glutaraldehyde in PBS for 10 min. The fixative was removed, unreacted aldehydes quenched with a solution containing 0.1% sodium borohydride in PBS followed by washing with PBS containing 10% BSA. GPIbα on the platelet surface was labeled with a mixture of three rat anti-mouse GPIbα monoclonal antibodies, each at 10 μg/ml (Bergmeier et al., 2000) for 1 hr followed by 10 nm gold coated with goat anti-rat IgG. The coverslips were extensively washed with PBS, post-fixed with 1% glutaraldehyde, washed again with distilled water, rapidly frozen, freeze-dried, and rotary coated with 1.2 nm of platinum followed by 4 nm of carbon without rotation in a Cressington CFE-60 (Cressington, Watford, UK). Platelets were viewed at 100 kV in a JEOL 1200-EX electron microscope (Hartwig et al., 1996; Kovacsovics and Hartwig, 1996)

[0137] In Vitro Phagocytic Assay

[0138] Monocytic THP-1 cells were cultured for 7 days in RPMI 1640 cell culture media supplemented with 10% fetal bovine serum, 25 mM Hepes, 2 mM glutamine and differentiated using 1 ng/ml TGFP and 50 nM 1,25-(OH)₂ vitamin D3 for 24 hours, which is accompanied by increased expression of CR3 (Simon et al., 2000). CR3 expression was monitored by flow cytometry using a PE-conjugated anti-human CD11b/Mac-1 mAb. Undifferentiated or differentiated THP-1 cells (2×10⁶/ml) were plated onto 24-well plates and allowed to adhere for 45 minutes at 37° C. The adherent undifferentiated or differentiated macrophages were activated by the addition of 15 ng/ml PMA for 15 min. CM-range-labeled, chilled or room temperature platelets (10⁷/well), previously subjected to different treatments were added to the undifferentated or differentiated phagocytes in Ca²⁺- and Mg²⁺-containing HBSS and incubated for 30 min at 37° C. Following the incubation period, the phagocyte monolayer was washed with HBSS for 3 times, and adherent platelets were removed by treatment with 0.05% trypsin/0.53 mM EDTA in HBSS at 37° C. for 5 min followed by 5 mM EDTA at 4° C. to detach the macrophages for flow cytometric analysis of adhesion or ingestion of platelets (Brown et al., 2000). Human CM-Orange-labeled, chilled or room temperature platelets all expressed the same amount of the platelet specific marker CD61 as freshly isolated unlabeled platelets (not shown). CM-Orange-labeled platelets incubated with macrophages were resolved from the phagocytes according to their forward and side scatter properties. The macrophages were gated, 10,000 events acquired for each sample, and data analyzed with CELLQuest software (Becton Dickenson). CM-Orange-labeled platelets that associate with the phagocyte population have a shift in orange fluorescence (FIG. 6a and FIG. 6b, ingested, y axis). These platelets were ingested rather than merely adherent, because they failed to dual label with the FITC-conjugated mAb to CD61.

[0139] Immunolabeling and Flow Cytometry of Platelets

[0140] Washed murine or human platelets (2×10⁶) were analyzed for surface expression of CD62P, CD61, or surface bound IgM and IgG after chilling or room temperature storage by staining with fluorophore-conjugated Abs (5 μg/ml) for 10 min at 37° C. Phosphatidylserine exposure by chilled or room temperature platelets was determined by resuspending 5 μl of platelets in 400 μl of HBSS containing 10 mM Ca²⁺ with 10 μg/ml of FITC-conjugated annexin-V. As a positive control for PS exposure, platelet suspensions were stimulated with 1 μM A23187. Fibrinogen binding was determined by the addition of Oregon Green-fibrinogen for 20 min at room temperature. All platelet samples were analyzed immediately by flow cytometry. Platelets were gated by forward and side scatter characteristics.

[0141] Intravital Microscopy Experiments

[0142] Animal preparation, technical and experimental aspects of the intravital video microscopy setup have been described (von Andrian, 1996). Six to eight week-old mice of both sexes were anesthetized by intraperitoneal injection of a mixture of Xylazine and Ketamin. The right jugular vein was catheterized with PE-10 polyethylene tubing. The lower surface of the left liver lobe was surgically prepared and covered by a glass cover slip for further in vivo microscopy as described (McCuskey, 1986). 10⁸ chilled platelets and room temperature platelets labeled with CMFDA and TRITC respectively were mixed 1:1 and administered intravenously. The circulation of labeled platelets in liver sinusoids was followed by video triggered stroboscopic epi-illumination. Ten video scenes were recorded from 3 centrilobular zones at each indicated time point. The ratio of cooled (CMFDA)/RT (TRITC) adherent platelets in the identical visualized field was calculated. Confocal microscopy was performed using a Radiance 2000 MP confocal-multiphoton imaging system connected to an Olympus BX 50 WJ upright microscope (Biorad, Hercules, Calif.), using a 10× water immersion objective. Images were captured and analyzed with Laser Sharp 2000 software (Biorad) (von Andrian, 2002).

[0143] Platelet Aggregation in Shed Blood

[0144] We used a flow cytometric method to analyze aggregate formation by platelets in whole blood emerging from a wound as described for primates (Michelson et al., 1994). We injected 10⁸ CMFDA labeled room temperature murine platelets into syngeneic wild type mice and 10⁸ CMFDA labeled, chilled platelets into CR3-deficient mice. Twenty-four hours after the platelet infusion, a standard bleeding time assay was performed, severing a 3-mm segment of a mouse tail (Denis et al., 1998). The amputated tail was immersed in 100 μl 0.9% isotonic saline at 37° C. The emerging blood was collected for 2 min., and 0.1 volume of Aster-Jandl anticoagulant added and followed immediately with 1% paraformaldehyde (final concentration). Peripheral blood was obtained by retroorbital eye plexus bleeding in parallel as described above and immediately fixed with 1% paraformaldehyde (final concentration). To analyze the number of aggregates in vivo by flow cytometry, the shed blood emerging from the bleeding time wound, as well as a peripheral whole blood sample, were diluted and labeled with PE-conjugated anti-murine GPIbα mAb pOp4 (5 μg/ml, 10 min.). Platelets were discriminated from red cells and white cells by gating according to their forward scatter characteristics and GPIbα positivity. A histogram of log forward light scatter (reflecting platelet size) versus GPIbα binding was then generated. In the peripheral whole blood samples, analysis regions were plotted around the GPIbα-positive particles to include 95% of the population on the forward scatter axis (region 1) and the 5% of particles appearing above this forward light scatter threshold (region 2). Identical regions were used for the shed blood samples. The number of platelet aggregates in shed blood as a percentage of the number of single platelets was calculated from the following formula: [(number of particles in region 2 of shed blood)−(number of particles in region 2 of peripheral blood)÷(number of particles in region 1 of shed blood)×100%. The infused platelets were identified by their CMFDA labeling and discriminated from the CMFDA negative non-infused platelets.

[0145] Flow Cytometric Analysis of Murine Platelet Fibrinogen Binding and P-Selectin Exposure of Circulating Platelets

[0146] Room temperature CM-Orange-labeled room temperature platelets (10⁸) were injected into wild type mice and CM-Orange-chilled labeled platelets (10⁸) into CR3 deficient mice. Twenty-four hours after platelet infusion the mice were bled and the platelets isolated. Resting or thrombin activated (1 U/ml, 5 min) platelet suspensions (2×10⁸) were diluted in PBS and either stained with FITC-conjugated anti-mouse P-selectin mAb or with 50 μg/ml Oregon Green-conjugated fibrinogen for 20 min at room temperature. Platelet samples were analyzed immediately by flow cytometry. Transfused and non-transfused platelets were gated by their forward scatter and CM-Orange fluorescence characteristics. P-selectin expression and fibrinogen binding were measured for each CM-Orange positive and negative population before and after stimulation with thrombin.

[0147] Statistics

[0148] The intravital microscopy data are expressed as means±SEM. Groups were compared using the nonpaired t test. P values <0.05 were considered significant. All other data are presented as the mean±SD.

[0149] Results

[0150] The Clearance of Chilled Platelets Occurs Predominantly in the Liver and is Independent of Platelet Shape.

[0151] Mouse platelets kept at room temperature (RT) and infused into syngeneic mice disappear at fairly constant rate over time for about 80 hours (FIG. 1A). In contrast, approximately two-thirds of mouse platelets chilled at ice-bath temperature and rewarmed (Cold) before injection rapidly disappear from the circulation as observed previously in humans and mice (Becker et al., 1973; Berger et al., 1998). Chilled and rewarmed platelets treated with the cell-permeable calcium chelator EGTA-AM and the actin filament barbed end capping agent cytochalasin B (Cold+CytoB/EGTA) to preserve their discoid shape (Winokur and Hartwig, 1995), left the circulation as rapidly as chilled, untreated platelets despite the fact that these platelets were fully functional as determined by thrombin-, ADP- or collagen related peptide- (CRP) induced aggregation in vitro (FIG. 1B). The recoveries of infused platelets immediately following transfusion were 50-70%, and the kinetics of platelet disappearance were indistinguishable whether we used ¹¹¹Indium or CMFDA to label platelets. The relative survival rates of room temperature and chilled mouse platelets resemble the values reported previously for identically treated mouse (Berger et al., 1998) and human platelets (Becker et al., 1973).

[0152]FIG. 1C shows that the organ destinations of room temperature and chilled mouse platelets differ. Whereas room-temperature platelets primarily end up in the spleen, the liver is the major residence of chilled platelets removed from the circulation. A greater fraction of radionuclide detected in the kidneys of animals receiving ¹¹¹Indium-labeled chilled compared with room-temperature platelets at 24 hours may reflect a more rapid degradation of chilled platelets and delivery of free radionuclide to the urinary system. One hour after injection the organ distribution of platelets labeled with CMFDA was comparable to that of platelets labeled with ¹¹¹Indium. In both cases, 60-90% of the labeled chilled platelet population deposited in the liver, ˜20 % in the spleen and ˜15% in the lung. In contrast, a quarter of the infused room temperature platelets distributed equally among the liver, spleen and lung.

[0153] Chilled Platelets Co-Localize with Liver Macrophages (Kupffer Cells).

[0154] The clearance of chilled platelets by the liver and the evidence for platelet degradation is consistent with recognition and ingestion of chilled platelets by Kupffer cells, the major phagocytic scavenger cells of the liver. FIG. 1D shows the location of phagocytotic Kupffer cells and adherent chilled CMFDA-labeled platelets in a representative confocal micrograph of a mouse liver section 1 hour after transfusion. Sinusoidal macrophages were visualized by the injection of 1 μm carboxyl modified polystyrene microspheres marked with Nile-red. Co-localization of transfused platelets and macrophages is indicated in yellow in the merged micrograph of both fluorescence emissions. The chilled platelets localize with Nile-red-labeled cells preferentially in the periportal and midzonal domains of liver acini, sites rich in sinusoidal macrophages (Bioulac-Sage et al., 1996; MacPhee et al., 1992).

[0155] CR3-Deficient Mice Do Not Rapidly Clear Chilled Platelets.

[0156] CR3 (α_(M)β₂ integrin; CD11b/CD18; Mac-1) is a major mediator of antibody independent clearance by hepatic macrophages. FIG. 2a shows that chilled platelets circulate in CR3-deficient animals with the same kinetics as room-temperature platelets, although the clearance of both platelet populations is shorter in the CR3-deficient mouse compared to that in wild-type mice (FIG. 1a). The reason for the slightly faster platelet removal rate by CR3-deficient mice compared to wild-type mice is unclear. Chilled and rewarmed platelets also clear rapidly from complement factor 3 C3-deficient mice (FIG. 2c), missing a major opsonin that promotes phagocytosis and clearance via CR3 and from von Willebrand factor (vWf) deficient mice (Denis et al., 1998) (FIG. 2b).

[0157] Chilled Platelets Adhere Tightly to Kupffer Cells In Vivo.

[0158] Platelet adhesion to wild-type liver sinusoids was further investigated by intravital microscopy, and the ratio between chilled and room temperature stored adherent platelets infused together was determined. FIG. 3 shows that both chilled and room temperature platelets attach to sinusoidal regions with high Kupffer cell density (FIGS. 3a and 3 b), but that 2.5 to 4-times more chilled platelets attach to Kupffer cells in the wild-type mouse than room-temperature platelets (FIG. 3c). In contrast, the number of platelets adhering to Kupffer cells in CR3-deficient mice was independent of chilling or room temperature exposure (FIG. 3c).

[0159] Chilled Platelets Lacking the N-Terminal Domain of GPIbα Circulate Normally.

[0160] Because GPIbα, a component of the GPIb-IX-V receptor complex for vWf, can bind CR3 under certain conditions in vitro (Simon et al., 2000), we investigated GPIbα as a possible counter receptor on chilled platelets for CR3. The 0-sialoglycoprotein endopeptidase cleaves the 45-kDa N-terminal extracellular domain of the murine platelet GPIbα, leaving other platelet receptors such as (α_(IIb)β₃, α₂α₁, GPVI/FcRγ-chain and the protease-activated receptors intact (Bergmeier et al., 2001). Hence, we stripped this portion of the extracellular domain of GPIbα from mouse platelets with 0-sialoglycoprotein endopeptidase (FIG. 4A inset) and examined their survival in mice following room temperature or cold incubation. FIG. 4A shows that chilled platelets no longer exhibit rapid clearance after cleavage of GPIbα. In addition, GPIbα depleted room temperature-treated platelets have slightly elongated survival times (˜5-10%) when compared to the GPIbα-containing room-temperature controls.

[0161] Chilling Does Not Affect Binding of Activated vWf to the Platelet vWf-Receptor but Induces Clustering of GPIBα on the Platelet Surface.

[0162]FIG. 4B shows that botrocetin-activated vWf binds GPIbα equally well on room temperature as on cold platelets, although chilling of platelets leads to changes in the distribution of GPIbα on the murine platelet surface. GPIbα molecules, identified by immunogold labeled monoclonal murine anti-GPIbα antibodies, form linear aggregates on the smooth surface of resting discoid platelets at room temperature (FIG. 4C, RT). This arrangement is consistent with information about the architecture of the resting blood platelet. The cytoplasmic domain of GPIbα binds long filaments curving with the plane of the platelet membrane through the intermediacy of filamin A molecules (Hartwig and DeSisto, 1991). After chilling (FIG. 4C, Chilled) many GPIbα molecules organize as clusters over the platelet membrane deformed by internal actin rearrangements (Hoffmeister et al., 2001; Winokur and Hartwig, 1995).

[0163] Recognition of Platelet GPIbα by CR3-Mediates Phagocytosis of Chilled Human Platelets In Vitro.

[0164] Differentiation of human monocytoid THP-1 cells using TGF-β1 and 1,25-(OH)₂ Vitamin D3 increases expression of CR3 by ˜2-fold (Simon et al., 1996). Chilling resulted in 3-fold increase of platelet phagocytosis by undifferentiated THP-1 cells and a ˜5-fold increase by differentiated THP-1 cells (FIGS. 5B and 5c), consistent with mediation of platelet uptake by CR3. In contrast, the differentiation of THP-1 cells had no significant effect on the uptake of room temperature stored platelets (FIGS. 5A and 5c). To determine if GPIbα is the counter receptor for CR3-mediated phagocytosis on chilled human platelets, we used the snake venom metalloprotease mocarhagin, to remove the extracellular domain of GPIbα (Ward et al., 1996). Removal of human GPIbα from the surface of human platelets with mocarhagin reduced their phagocytosis after chilling by ˜98% (FIG. 5C).

[0165] Exclusion of Other Mediators of Cold-Induced Platelet Clearance

[0166] Table 1 shows results of experiments that examined whether cooling affected the expression of platelet receptors other than GPIbα or their interaction with ligands. These experiments revealed no detectable effects on the expression of P-selectin, α_(IIb)β₃-integrin density or on α_(IIb)β₃ fibrinogen binding, a marker of α_(IIb)β₃ activation. Chilling also did not increase phosphatidylserine (PS) exposure, an indicator of apoptosis, nor did it change platelet binding of IgG or IgM immunoglobulins. TABLE 1 Effect of chilling on binding of various antibodies or ligands to platelet receptors. Binding ratio 4° C.:22° C. Platelet receptor (ligand) Human platelets Murine platelets P-Selectin (anti-CD62P mAb) 1.01 ± 0.06 1.02 ± 0.03 Platelet associated IgGs 1.05 ± 0.14 1.06 ± 0.03 Platelet associated IgMs 0.93 ± 0.10 1.01 ± 0.02 Phosphatidylserine (annexin V) 0.95 ± 0.09 1.04 ± 0.02 α_(IIb)β₃ (anti-CD61 mAb) 1.03 ± 0.05 1.04 ± 0.10 α_(IIb)β₃ (fibrinogen) 1.05 ± 0.10 1.06 ± 0.06

[0167] The binding of fluorescently labeled antibodies or ligands against various receptors on chilled-rewarmed or room temperature human and murine platelets was measured by flow cytometry. The data are expressed as the ratio between the mean fluophore bound to the surface of chilled versus room temperature platelets (mean±SD, n=3-4).

[0168] Circulating Chilled Platelets have Hemostatic Function in CR3-Deficient Mice.

[0169] Despite their rapid clearance in wild type mice, CM-Orange or CMFDA labeled chilled platelets were functional 24 h after infusion into CR3-deficient mice, as determined by three independent methods. First, chilled platelets incorporate into platelet aggregates in shed blood emerging from a standardized tail vein bleeding wound (FIG. 6). CMFDA-positive room temperature platelets transfused into wild type mice (FIG. 6b) and CNIFDA-positive chilled platelets transfused into CR3-deficient mice (FIG. 6d) formed aggregates in shed blood to the same extent as CMFDA-negative platelets of the recipient mouse. Second, as determined by platelet surface exposure of the fibrinogen-binding site on α_(IIb)β₃ 24 hours after transfusion of CM-Orange-labeled chilled and rewarmed platelets into CR3 deficient mice following ex vivo stimulation by thrombin. Third, CM-Orange platelets chilled and rewarmed were fully capable of upregulation of P-selectin in response to thrombin activation (FIG. 6e).

[0170] Discussion

[0171] Cold-Induced Platelet Shape Change Alone Does Not Lead to Platelet Clearance In Vivo

[0172] Cooling rapidly induces extensive platelet shape changes mediated by intracellular cytoskeletal rearrangements (Hoffmeister et al., 2001; White and Krivit, 1967; Winokur and Hartwig, 1995). These alterations are partially but not completely reversible by rewarming, and rewarmed platelets are more spherical than discoid. The idea that preservation of platelet discoid shape is a major requirement for platelet survival has been a dogma, despite evidence that transfused murine and baboon platelets activated ex vivo by thrombin circulate normally with extensive shape changes (Berger et al., 1998; Michelson et al, 1996). Here we have shown that chilling leads to specific changes in the platelet surface that mediate their removal independently of shape change, and that the shape change per se does not lead to rapid platelet clearance. Chilled and rewarmed platelets, preserved as discs with pharmacological agents, clear with the same speed as untreated chilled platelets, and misshapen chilled and rewarmed platelets circulate like room temperature maintained platelets in CR3-deficient mice. The small size of platelets may allow them to remain in the circulation, escaping entrapment despite these extensive shape deformities.

[0173] Receptors Mediating Clearance of Chilled Platelets: CR3 and GPIbα

[0174] The normal platelet life span in humans is approximately 7 days (Aas, 1958; Ware et 2000). The incorporation of platelets into small blood clots engendered by continuous mechanical stresses undoubtedly contributes to platelet clearance, because massive clotting reactions, such as occur during disseminated intravascular coagulation, cause thrombocytopenia (Seligsohn, 1995). The fate of platelets in such clotting reactions differs from that of infused ex vivo-activated platelets such as in the experiments of Michelson et al (Michelson et al., 1996) and Berger et al (Berger et al., 1998), because in vivo platelet stimulation occurs on injured vessel walls, and the activated platelets rapidly sequester at these sites.

[0175] Isoantibodies and autoantibodies accelerate the phagocytic removal of platelets by Fc-receptor-bearing macrophages in individuals sensitized by immunologically incompatible platelets or in patients with autoimmune thrombocytopenia, but otherwise little information exists regarding mechanisms of platelet clearance. We showed, however, that the quantities of IgG or IgM bound to chilled or room-temperature human platelets are identical, implying that binding of platelet-associated antibodies to Fc-receptors does not mediate the clearance of cooled platelets. We also demonstrated that chilling of platelets does not induce detectable phosphatidylserine (PS) exposure on the platelet surface in vitro militating against PS exposure and the involvement of scavenger receptors in the clearance of chilled platelets.

[0176] Although many publications have referred to effects of cold on platelets as “activation”, aside from cytoskeletally-mediated shape changes, chilled platelets do not resemble platelets activated by stimuli such as thrombin or ADP. Normal activation markedly increases surface P-selectin expression, a consequence of secretion from intracellular granules (Berman et al., 1986). Chilling of platelets does not lead to up-regulation of P-selectin (Table 1), but the clearance of chilled platelets isolated from wild-type or P-selectin-deficient mice is equally rapid (Berger et al., 1998). Activation also increases the amount of α_(IIb)β₃-integrin and its avidity for fibrinogen (Shattil, 1999), but cooling does not have these effects (Table 1). The normal survival of thrombin-activated platelets is consistent with our findings.

[0177] We have shown that CR3 on liver macrophages is primarily responsible for the recognition and clearance of cooled platelets. The predominant role of CR3 bearing macrophages in the liver in clearance of chilled platelets despite abundant CR3-expressing macrophages in the spleen is consistent with the principally hepatic clearance of IgM-coated erythrocytes (Yan et al., 2000) and may reflect blood filtration properties of the liver that favor binding and ingestion by macrophage CR3. The extracellular domain of GPIbα binds avidly to CR3, and under shear stress in vitro supports the rolling and firm adhesion of THP-1 cells (Simon et al., 2000). Cleavage of the extracellular domain of murine GPIbα results in normal survival of chilled platelets transfused into mice. GPIbα depletion of human chilled platelets greatly reduces phagocytosis of the treated platelets by macrophage-like cells in vitro. We propose, therefore, that GPIbα is the co-receptor for liver macrophage CR3 on chilled platelets leading to platelet clearance by phagocytosis.

[0178] The normal clearance of cold platelets lacking the N-terminal portion of GPIbα rules out the many other CR3-binding partners, including molecules expressed on platelet surfaces as candidates for mediating chilled platelet clearance. These ligand candidates include ICAM-2, fibrinogen bound to the platelet integrin α_(IIb)β₃, iC3b, P-selectin, glucosaminoglycans, and high molecular weight kininogen. We excluded deposition of the opsonic C3b fragment iC3b as a mechanism for chilled platelet clearance using mice deficient in complement factor 3, and the expression level of α_(IIb)β₃ and fibrinogen binding are also unchanged after chilling of platelets.

[0179] Binding to Activated vWf and Cold-Induced Binding to CR3 Appear to be Separate Functions of GPIbα.

[0180] GPIbα on the surface of the resting discoid platelet exists in linear arrays (FIG. 5) in a complex with GPIbα, GPIX and V, attached to the submembrane actin cytoskeleton by filamin-A and Filamin B (Stossel et al., 2001). Its role in hemostasis is to bind the activated form of vWf at sites of vascular injury. GPIbα binding to activated vWf is constitutive and requires no active contribution from the platelet, since activated vWf binds equally well to GPIbα on resting or on stimulated platelets. Stimulation of platelets in suspension by thrombin and other agonists causes GPIbα to redistribute in part from the platelet surface into an internal membrane network, the open canalicular system, but does not lead to platelet clearance in vivo (Berger et al., 1998; Michelson et al., 1996) or to phagocytosis in vitro (unpublished observations). Cooling of platelets however, causes GPIbα clustering rather than internalization. This clustering is independent of barbed end actin assembly, because it occurs in the presence of cytochalasin B.

[0181] Despite cold's promoting recognition of platelet GPIbα by CR3, it has no effect on interaction between GPIbα and activated vWf in vitro, and chilled platelets transfused into vWf-deficient mice disappear as rapidly as in wild-type mice. The separability of GPIbα's interaction with vWf and CR3 suggests that selective modification of GPIbα. might inhibit cold-induced platelet clearance without impairment of GPIbα's hemostatically important reactivity with vWf. Since all tests of platelet function of cooled platelets in vitro and after infusion into CR3-deficient mice yielded normal results, suitably modified platelets would predictably be hemostatically effective.

[0182] Physiological Importance of Cold-Induced Platelet Clearance.

[0183] Although gross platelet shape changes become obvious only at temperatures below 15° C., accurate biochemical analyses show that cytoskeletal alterations and increased responsiveness to thrombin are detectable as the temperature falls below 37° C. (Faraday and Rosenfeld, 1998; Hoffmeister et al., 2001; Tablin et al., 1996). We refer to those changes as “priming” because of the many functional differences that remain between cold-exposed and thrombin- or ADP-stimulated platelets. Since platelet activation is potentially lethal in coronary and cerebral blood vessels subjected to core body temperatures, we have proposed that platelets are thermosensors, designed to be relatively inactive at the core body temperature of the central circulation but to become primed for activation at the lower temperatures of external body surfaces, sites most susceptible to bleeding throughout evolutionary history (Hoffmeister et al., 2001). The findings reported here suggest that irreversible changes in GPIbα are the reason for the clearance of cooled platelets. Rather than allowing chilled platelets to circulate, the organism clears low temperature-primed platelets by phagocytosis.

[0184] A system involving at least two clearance pathways, one for removal of locally activated platelets and another for taking out excessively primed platelets (FIG. 7), can possibly explain why chilled platelets circulate and function normally in CR3-deficient mice and have a slightly prolonged circulation following removal of GPIbα. We propose that some primed platelets enter microvascular clots on a stochastic basis. Others are susceptible to repeated exposure to body surface temperature, and this repetitive priming eventually renders these platelets recognizable by CR3-bearing liver macrophages. Platelets primed by chilling are capable of normal hemostatic function in CR3-deficient mice, and coagulation contributes to their clearance. However, the slightly shorter survival time of autologous platelets in CR3-deficient mice examined is probably not ascribable to increased clearance of normally primed platelets in microvascular clots, because the clearance rate of refrigerated platelets was indistinguishable from that of platelets kept at room temperature.

References for Background of the Invention and Example 1

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Example 2

[0230] Implication of the α_(M)β₂ (CR3) Lectin Domain in Chilled Platelet Phagocytosis.

[0231] α_(M)β₂ (CR3) has a cation-independent sugar-binding lectin site, located “C-T” to its I-domain (Thornton et al, J. Immonol. 156, 1235-1246, 1996), which binds to mannans, glucans and N-Acetyl-D-glucosamine (GlcNAc). Since CD16b/α_(M)β₂ membrane complexes are disrupted by β-glucan, N-Acetyl-D-galactosamine (GalNAc), and methyl-α-mannoside, but not by other sugars, it is believed that this interaction occurs at the lectin site of the α_(M)β₂ integrin (CR3) (Petty et al, J. Leukoc. Biol. 54, 492-494, 1993; Sehgal et al, J. Immunol. 150, 4571-4580, 1993).

[0232] The lectin site of α_(M)β₂ integrin has a broad sugar specifity (Ross, R. Critical Reviews in Immunology 20, 197-222, 2000). Although sugar binding to lectins is usually of low affinity, clustering can cause a more robust interaction by increasing avidity. The clustering of GPIbα following cooling, as shown by electron microscopy, suggests such a mechanism. The most common hexosamines of animal cells are D-glucosamine and D-galactosamine, mostly occuring in structural carbohydrates as GlcNAc and GalNAc, suggesting that the α_(M)β₂ integrin lectin domain might also bind to mammalian glycoproteins containing carbohydrates that are not covered by sialic acid. The soluble form of GPIbα, glycocalicin, has a carbohydrate content of 60% comprising N- as well as O-glycosidically linked carbohydrate chains (Tsuji et al, J. Biol. Chem. 258, 6335-6339, 1983). Glycocalicin contains 4 potential N-glycosylation sites (Lopez, et al, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci., USA 84, 5615-5619,1987). The 45 kDa region contains two sites that are N-glycosylated (Titani et al, Proc Natl Acad Sci 16, 5610-5614, 1987). In normal mammalian cells, four common core structures of O-glycan can be synthesized. All of them may be elongated, sialylated, fucosylated and sulfated to form functional carbohydrate structures. The N-linked carbohydrate chains of GPIbα are of the complex-type and di-, tri- and tetra- antennary structures (Tsuji et al, J. Biol. Chem. 258, 6335-6339, 1983). They are sialylated GalNAc type structures with an α(1-6)-linked fucose residue at the Asn-bound GlcNAc unit. There is a structural similarity of Asn-linked sugar chains with the Ser/Thr-linked: i.e., their position is of a common Gal-GlcNAc sequence. Results suggested that removal of sialic acid and galactose has no influence on the binding of vWf to glycocalicin, but partial removal of GlcNac resulted in the inhibition of vWf binding (Korrel et al, FEBS Lett 15, 321-326, 1988). A more recent study proposed that the carbohydrate patterns are involved in maintaining an appropriate functional conformation of the receptor, without participating directly in the binding of vWf (Moshfegh et al, Biochem. Biophys. Res. Communic. 249, 903-909, 1998).

[0233] A role of sugars in the interaction between chilled platelets and macrophages has the important consequence that covalent modification, removal or masking of oligosaccharide residues could prevent this interaction. We hypothesized that if such prevention does not impair normal platelet function, we may be able to modify platelets and enable cold platelet storage. Here, we show evidence that favor this hypothesis: 1) Saccharides inhibited phagocytosis of chilled platelets by macrophages in vitro, and the specific sugars that are effective implicated α-glucans as the relevant targets. Low concentrations of α-GlcNAc were surprisingly effective inhibitors, consistent with the idea that interference with a relatively small number of clustered sugars may be sufficient to inhibit phagocytosis. Addition of sugars at concentrations that maximally inhibited phagocytosis of chilled platelets has no effect on normal GPIb function (vWf-binding); 2) A β-GlcNAc-specific lectin, but not other lectins, bound avidly to chilled platelets; 3) Removal of GPIbα or β-GlcNAc residues from platelet surfaces prevented this binding (since β-GlcNAc removal exposed mannose residues, it did not prevent phagocytosis by macrophages which have mannose receptors); 4) Blocking of exposed β-Glucans on chilled platelets by enzymatic addition of galactose markedly inhibited phagocytosis of chilled platelets by macrophages in vitro and extended the circulation times of chilled platelets in normal animals.

[0234] Effect of Monosaccharides on Phagocytosis of Chilled Platelets.

[0235] To analyze the effects of monosaccharides on platelet phagocytosis, phagocytes (differentiated monocytic cell line THP-1) were incubated in monosaccharide solutions at various concentrations, and the chilled or room temperature platelets were added. Values in the Figures are means±SD of 3-5 experiments comparing percentages of orange-positive monocytes containing ingested platelets incubated with RT or chilled platelets). While 100 mM D-glucose inhibited chilled platelet phagocytosis by 65.5% (P<0.01), 100 mM D-galactose did not significantly inhibit chilled platelet phagocytosis (n=3) (FIG. 8A). The D-glucose α-anomer (α-glucoside) did not have an inhibitory effect on chilled platelet phagocytosis, although 100 mM inhibited by 90.2% (FIG. 8B) In contrast, β-glucoside inhibited phagocytosis in a dose-dependent manner (FIG. 8B). Incubation of the phagocytes with 100 mM β-glucoside inhibited phagocytosis by 80% (p<0.05) and 200 mM by 97% (P<0.05), therefore we concluded that the β-anomer is preferred. D-mannose and its α- and β-anomers (methyl-α-D-mannopyranoside (FIG. 8C) and methyl-β-D-mannopyranoside (FIG. 8C) had no inhibitory effect on chilled or RT platelet phagocytosis. Incubation of phagocytes using 25 to 200 mM GlcNAc (N-acetyl-D-glucosamine) significantly inhibited chilled platelet phagocytosis. Incubation with 25 mM GlcNac was sufficient to inhibit the phagocytosis of chilled platelets by 86% (P<0.05) (FIG. 8D), whereas 10 μM of the β-anomer of GlcNAc inhibited the phagocytosis of chilled platelets by 80% (p<0.01) (FIG. 8D). None of the monosachharides had an inhibitory effect on RT platelet phagocytosis. Table 2 summarizes the inhibitory effects of monosaccharides at at the indicated concentrations on chilled platelet phagocytosis (**P<0.01, *P<0.05). None of the monosaccharides inhibited thrombin or ristocetin induced human platelet aggregation or induced α-granule secretion as measured by P-selectin exposure. TABLE 2 Inhibitory effects of monosaccharides on chilled platelet phagocytosis Monosaccharides % inhibition phagocytosis mM D-(+)-glucose 65.5  100 D-(+)-galactose — 100 Methyl-α-D- 90.2* 100 glucopyranoside Methyl-β-D- 80.2* 100 gludopyranoside 97.1* 200 D-(+)-mannose — 100 Methyl-α-D- — 100 mannopyranoside Methyl-β-D- — 100 mannopyranoside β-GlcNac 80.9* 0.01 GlcNac 86.3* 25 83.9* 100 83.1* 200

[0236] Binding of Various Lectins to Room Temperature Platelets or Chilled Platelets.

[0237] β-GlcNAc strongly inhibited chilled human platelet phagocytosis in vitro at μM concentrations, indicating that GlcNac is exposed after incubation of platelets in the cold. We then investigated whether wheat germ agglutinin (WGA), a lectin with specificity towards the terminal sugar (GlcNAc), binds more effectively to chilled platelets than to room temperature platelets. Washed, chilled or room temperature platelets were incubated with 2μg/ml of FITC coupled WGA or FITC coupled succinyl-WGA for 30 min at room temperature and analyzed by flow cytometry. FIGS. 9A and 9B show the dot plots after incubation with FITC-WGA of room temperature (RT) or chilled (Cold) human platelets. WGA induces platelet aggregation and release of serotonin or ADP at concentrations between 25-50 μg/ml WGA (Greenberg and Jamieson, Biochem. Biophys. Acta 345, 231-242, 1974). Incubation with 2 μg/ml WGA induced no significant aggregation of RT-platelets (FIG. 9A, RT w/WGA), but incubation of chilled platelets with 2 μg/ml WGA induced massive aggregation (FIG. 9B, Cold/w WGA). FIG. 9C shows the analysis of FITC-WGA fluorescence binding to chilled or room temperature platelets. To verify that the increase of fluorescence binding is not aggregation related, we used succinyl-WGA (S-WGA), a dimeric derivate of the lectin that does not induce platelet aggregation (Rendu and Lebret, Thromb Res 36, 447-456, 1984). FIGS. 9D and 9E show that succinyl-WGA (S-WGA) did not induce aggregation of room temperature or chilled platelets, but resulted the same increase in WGA binding to chilled platelets versus room temperature platelets (FIG. 9F). The enhanced binding of S-WGA after chilling of platelets cannot be reversed by warming of chilled platelets to 37° C.

[0238] Exposed β-GlcNAc residues serve as substrate for a β1,4glactosyltransferase enzyme that catalyses the linkage Galβ-1GlcNAcβ1-R. In support of this prediction, masking of β-GlcNAc residues by enzymatic galactosylation inhibited S-WGA binding to cold platelets, phagocytosis of chilled platelets by THP-1 cells, and the rapid clearance of chilled platelets after transfusion into mice. The enzymatic galactosylation, achieved with bovine β1,4galactosyltransferase and its donor substrate UDP-Gal, decreased S-WGA binding to chilled human platelets to levels equivalent to room temperature platelets. Conversely, the binding of the galactose-specific RCA I lectin increased by ˜2 fold after galactosylation. UDP-Glucose and UDP alone had no effect on S-WGA or RCA I binding to chilled or room temperature human platelets.

[0239] We found that the enzymatic galactosylation of human and mouse platelets is efficient without addition of exogenous β1,4galactosyltransferase. The addition alone of the donor substrate UDP-Gal reduces S-WGA binding and increases RCA I binding to chilled platelets, inhibits phagocytosis of chilled platelets by THP1 cells in vitro, and prolongs the circulation of chilled platelets in mice. An explanation for this unexpected finding is that platelets reportedly slowly release endogenous galactosyltransferase activity. A least one form of β1,4galactosyltransferases, β4Gal T1, is present in human plasma, on washed human platelets and in the supernatant fluids of washed platelets. Galactosyltransferases may associate specifically with the platelet surface. Alternatively, the activity may be plasma-derived and leak out of the platelet's open canalicular system. In either case, modification of platelet glycans responsible for cold-mediated platelet clearance is possible by simple addition of the sugar-nucleotide donor substrate, UDP-Gal.

[0240] Importantly, both chilled and non-chilled platelets show the same increase in RCA I binding after galactosylation, implying that β-GlcNAc residues are exposed on the platelet surface independent of temperature. However chilling is a requirement for recognition of β-GlcNAc residues by S-WGA and by the α_(M)β₂ integrin. We have demonstrated that chilling of platelets induces an irreversible clustering of GPIb. Generally lectin binding is of low affinity and multivalent interactions with high density of carbohydrate ligands increases binding avidity. Possibly the local densities of exposed β-GlcNAc on the surface of non-chilled platelets are too low for recognition, but cold-induced clustering of GPIbα provides the necessary density for binding to S-WGA or the α_(M)β₂ integrin lectin domain. We confirmed by S-WGA and RCA-1 binding flow cytometry that UDP-Gal transfers galactose onto murine platelets in the presence or absence of added galactosyl transferase and documented that chilled, galactosylated murine platelets circulate and initially survive significantly better than untreated room temperature platelets.

[0241] Although the earliest recoveries (<2 min) did not differ between transfused RT, chilled and chilled, galactosylated platelets, galactosylation abolished an initial platelet loss of about 20% consistently observed with RT platelets.

[0242] Galactosylation of murine and human platelets did not impair their functionality in vitro as measured by aggregation and P-selectin exposure induced by collagen related peptide (CRP) or thrombin at concentrations ranging from maximally effective to three orders of magnitude lower. Importantly, the aggregation responses of unmodified and galactosylated chilled human platelets to a range of ristocetin concentrations, a test of the interaction between GPIb and activated VWF, were indistinguishable or slightly better. The attachment points for N-linked glycans on GPIbα are outside of the binding pocket for VWF. Moreover, mutant GPIbα molecules lacking N-linked glycans bind VFW tightly.

[0243] Using FITC labeled lectins with specificities towards β-galactose (R. communis lectin/RCA), 2-3 sialic acid (Maackia amurensis lectin/MAA) or 2-6 sialic acid (Sambucus Nigra bark lectin/SNA), we could not detect increased binding after chilling of platelets by flow cytometry (FIG. 10), showing that exposure after chilling of platelets is restricted to GlcNAc.

[0244] We localized the exposed β-GlcNAc residues mediating α_(M)β₂ lectin domain recognition of GPIbα N-glycans. The extracellular domain of GPIbα contains 60% of total platelet carbohydrate content in the form of N- and O-glycosidically linked carbohydrate chain. Accordingly, binding of peroxidase-labeled WGA to GPIbα is easily detectable in displays of total platelet proteins resolved by SDS-PAGE, demonstrating that GPIbα contains the bulk of the β-GlcNAc-residues on platelets, and binding of WGA to GPIbα is observable in GPIbα immunoprecipitates. UDP-Gal with or without added galactosyltransferase diminishes S-WGA binding to GPIbα, whereas RCA I binding to GPIbα increases. These findings indicate that galactosylation specifically covers exposed β-GlcNAc residues on GPIbα. Removal of the N-terminal 282 residues of GPIbα from human platelet surfaces using the snake venom protease mocarhagin, which inhibited phagocytosis of human platelets by THP-1 cells in vitro, reduces S-WGA binding to chilled platelets nearly equivalent to S-WGA room temperature binding levels. WGA binds predominantly to the N-terminus of GPIbα released by mocarhagin into platelet supernatant fluids as a polypeptide band of 45 kDa recognizable by the monoclonal antibody SZ2 specific for that domain. The glycans of this domain are N-linked. A small portion of GPIbα remains intact after mocarhagin treatment, possibly because the open canalicular system of the platelet sequesters it. Peroxidase-conjugated WGA weakly recognizes the residual platelet associated GPIbα C-terminus after mocarhagin cleavage, identifiable with monoclonal antibody WM23.

[0245] The cold-induced increase in binding of human platelets to α_(M)β₂ integrin and to S-WGA occurs rapidly (within minutes). The enhanced binding of S-WGA to chilled platelets remained stable for up to 12 days of refrigerated storage in autologous plasma. RCA I binding remained equivalent to room temperature levels under the same conditions. Galactosylation doubled the binding of RCA I lectin to platelets and reduced S-WGA binding to baseline RT levels. The increase in RCA I and decrease in S-WGA binding were identical whether galactosylation proceeded or followed storage of the platelets in autologous plasma for up to 12 days. These findings indicate that galactosylation of platelets to inhibit lectin binding is possible before or after refrigeration and that the glycan modification is stable during storage for up to 12 days. Platelets stored at room temperature rapidly lose responsiveness to aggregating agents; this loss does not occur with refrigeration. Accordingly, refrigerated platelets with or without galactosylation, before or after storage, retained aggregation responsiveness to thrombin for up to 12 days of cold storage.

[0246] Effects of β-Hexosaminidase (β-Hex) and Mocarhagin (MOC) on FITC-WGA Lectin Binding to Chilled Versus Room Temperature Stored Platelets.

[0247] The enzyme β-hexosaminidase catalyzes the hydrolysis of terminal β-D-N-acetylglucosamine (GlcNAc) and galactosamine (GalNAc) residues from oligosaccharides. To analyze whether removal of GlcNAc residues reduces the binding of WGA to the platelet surface, chilled and room temperature washed human platelets were treated with 100 U/ml β-Hex for 30 min at 37° C. FIG. 11A shows the summary of FITC-WGA binding to the surface of room temperature or chilled platelets obtained by flow cytometry before and after β-hexosaminidase treatment. FITC-WGA binding to chilled platelets was reduced by 85% after removal of GlcNac (n=3). We also checked whether, as exspected, removal of GPIbα from the platelet surface leads to reduced WGA-binding after platelet chilling. GPIbα was removed from the platelet surface using the snake venom mocarhagin (MOC), as described previously (Ward et al, Biochemistry 28, 8326-8336,1996). FIG. 11B shows that GPIbα removal from the platelet surface reduced FITC-WGA binding to chilled platelets by 75% and had little influence on WGA-binding to GPIbα-depleted room temperature platelets (n=3). These results indicate that WGA binds mostly to oligosaccharides on GPIbα after chilling of human platelets, and it is very tempting to speculate that the Mac-1 lectin site also recognizes these exposed sugars on GPIbα leading to phagocytosis.

[0248] Masking of Human Platelet GlcNAc Residues by Galactose-Transfer Greatly Reduces Their Phagocytosis After Chilling In Vitro and Dramatically Increases Their Survival in Mice.

[0249] To achieve galactose transfer onto platelets, isolated human platelets were incubated with 200 μM UDP-galactose and 15 mU/ml galactose transferase for 30 min at 37° C., followed by chilling or maintenance at room temperature for 2 h. Galactosylation reduced FITC-WGA binding almost to resting room temperature levels. Platelets were fed to the monocytes and platelet phagocytosis was analyzed as described above. FIG. 12 shows that galactose transfer onto platelet oligosaccharides reduces greatly chilled platelet (Cold) phagocytosis, but does not affect the phagocytosis of room temperature (RT) platelets (n=3). These results show that in vitro the phagocytosis of chilled platelets can be reduced through coverage of exposed GlcNAc residues. We tested whether this approach could be extended to animals and used to increase the circulation time of chilled platelets. Murine platelets were isolated and stained with CMFDA. Using the same approach of galactose transfer described for human platelets above, wild type murine platelets were galactosylated and chilled, or not, for 2 hours. 10⁸ Platelets were transfused into wild type mice and their survival determined. FIG. 13 shows the survival of these chilled, galactosylated murine platelets relative to untreated platelets. Both platelets kept at room temperature (RT) and the galactosylated chilled platelets (Cold+GalT) had almost identical survival times, whereas chilled untreated platelets (Cold) were cleared rapidly as expected. We believe galactosylated chilled platelets will circulate in humans.

[0250] We noted that our control reaction, in which galactose transferase was heat-inactivated also resulted in glycan modification of platelets as occurred in the experimental reaction with active galactose transferase, as judged by WGA binding (FIG. 14A), in vitro phagocytosis results in human platelets (FIG. 14B), and survival of murine platelets (FIG. 14C). Therefore, we conclude that platelets contain galactose transferase activity on their surface, which is capable of directing glycan modification using only UDP-galactose without the addition of any exogenous galactose transferase. Thus, glycan modification of platelets can be achieved simply by incubation of UDP-galactose.

[0251] UDP-Galactose Incorporate into Human Platelets in a Time Dependent Matter.

[0252] In another set of experiments we have shown that ¹⁴C-labeled UDP-galactose incorporates into human platelets in a time dependent manner in the presence or absence of the enzyme galactosyl transferase. FIG. 15 shows the time course of ¹⁴C-labeled UDP-galactose incorporation into washed human platelets. Human platelets were incubated with ¹⁴C-labeled UDP-galactose for different time intervals in the absence of galactosyl transferase. The platelets were then washed and the ¹⁴C radioactivity associated with platelets measured.

Example 3

[0253] Enzymatic Modification of Platelet β-Glycans Inhibit Phagocytosis of Cooled Platelets by Macrophages In Vitro and Accommodate Normal Circulation In Vivo.

[0254] Our preliminary experiments have demonstrated the enzymatic covering of GlcNAc residues on GPIbα using galactose-transfer (glycan modification) onto chilled human platelet surfaces greatly reduced their in vitro phagocytosis. One interpretation of these findings is that GPIbα structure is altered on the surface of chilled human and murine platelets. This causes the exposure or clustering of GlcNAc, which is recognized by the lectin binding domain of αMβ2 leading to platelet removal. β-GlcNAc exposure can be measured by WGA binding and possibly by binding of recombinant αMβ2 lectin domain peptides. Resting human platelets bind WGA, which increases greatly after chilling. We propose that galactose transfer (glycan modification) will prevent GPIbα's interaction with αMβ2-lectin but not with vWf. This modification (galactose transfer onto platelet surface) leads to normal survival of chilled platelets in WT mice as shown by our preliminary experiments.

Example 4

[0255] This example shows that the αMβ2 lectin site mimics WGA and sugar modifications prevent the engagement of the recombinant lectin site with chilled platelets. Dr. T. Springer (Corbi, et al., J. Biol Chem. 263, 12403-12411, 1988) provided the human αM cDNA and several anti-αM antibodies. The smallest r-huαM construct exhibiting lectin activity that has been reported includes its C-T and a portion of its divalent cation binding region (residues 400-1098) (Xia et al, J Immunol 162, 7285-7293, 1999). The construct is 6× His-tagged for ease of purification. We first determined if the recombinant lectin domain can be used as a competitive inhibitor of chilled platelet ingestion in the phagocytic assay. Competition proved that the αM lectin site mediates binding to the platelet surface and initiates phagocytosis. As controls, a construct lacking the lectin-binding region of αM was used and the recombinant protein was denatured. Lectin binding domain functions as a specific inhibitor of chilled platelet ingestion. We made a αM construct that include GFP and express and labeled the αM-lectin binding site with FITC and used it to label the surface of chilled platelets by flow cytometry. Platelets were labeled with CMFDA. We found that chilled platelets bind more efficiently to the αM lectin side of αMβ2 integrin compared to room te,perature paltelets. The lectin side and whole αM-construct (Mac-1) was expressed in Sf9 insect cells.

[0256] The platelet sugar chains are modified to inhibit the platelet-oligosaccharide interaction with the r-huαM-lectin site. The efficiency of sugar modifications is also monitored by inhibition of the binding of fluorescent-lectin domain binding to platelets by flow cytometry.

[0257] The recovery and circulation times of room temperature, chilled and chilled-modified platelets are compared to establish that galactose transfer onto chilled murine platelets results in longer circulating platelets. Room temperature, chilled and chilled-modified platelets are stained with CMFDA, and 10⁸ platelets transfused into wild type mice as described above. The mice are bled immediately (<2 min.), 30 min, 1 h, 2, 24, 48 and 72 hours after transfusion. The blood obtained is analyzed using flow cytometry. The percentage of fluorescent labeled platelets within the gated platelet population measured immediately after injection is set as 100%. The recovery of fluorescently labeled platelets obtained at the various time points is calculated accordingly.

Example 5

[0258] This example demonstrates that chilled, unmodified and chilled, galactosylated (modified) platelets have hemostatic function in vitro and in vivo. Chilled platelets are not “activated” in the sense of agonist-stimulated platelets. Patients undergoing surgery under hypo-thermic conditions may develop thrombocytopenia or show severe hemostatic post-operative impairments. It is believed that under these hypothermic conditions, platelets might lose their functionality. However, when patients undergo hypothermic surgery, the whole organism is exposed to hypothermia leading therefore to changes in multiple tissues. Adhesion of non-chilled platelets to hepatic sinusoidal endothelial cells is a major mechanism of cold preservation injury (Takeda, et al. Transplantation 27, 820-828, 1999). Therefore, it is likely that it is the interaction between cold hepatic endothelium and platelets, not platelet chilling per se, that leads to deleterious consequences under hypothermic conditions of surgery or trans-plantation of cold preserved organs (Upadhya et al, Transplantation 73, 1764-1770, 2002). Two approaches showed that chilled platelets have hemostatic function. In one approach, the circulation of chilled platelets in αMβ2-deficient mice facilitates studies of platelet function after cooling. In the other approach, the function of modified chilled and (presumably) circulating platelets was tested.

[0259] Human and murine unmodified and modified (galactosylated) chilled platelets were tested for functionality, including in vitro aggregation to agonists, P-selectin exposure and fibrinogen binding.

[0260] αMβ2 deficient or WT mice are transfused with murine chilled/RT platelets modified or not, and allowed to circulate for 30 min., 2 and 24 hours. We determine if chilled platelets contribute to clotting reactions caused by tail vein bleeding and if these platelets bind agents such as fibrinogen after activation. We also determine how chilled platelets, modified or not, contribute to clotting on ferric chloride injured and exteriorized mouse mesenteries, an in vivo thrombus-formation model that we developed. This method detects the number of platelets adherent to injured vessels and has documented impaired platelet vessel wall interactions of platelets lacking glycoprotein V or β3-integrin function (Ni et al, Blood 98, 368-373 2001; Andre, et al. Nat Med 8, 247-252, 2002). Last, we determine the storage parameters of the modified platelets.

[0261] In vitro platelet function is compared using aggregation with thrombin and ADP and botrocetin induced vWf-binding to murine platelets. Murine and human chilled platelets modified (galactosylated) or unmodified platelets are normalized to a platelet concentration of 0.3×10⁹/mm³, and aggregation induced using the various agonists according to standard protocols (Bergmeier, et al. 2001 276, 25121-25126, 2001). To study vWf-binding we activate murine vWf using botrocetin and analyze the binding of fluorescently labeled vWf to chilled platelets modified or not in PRP (Bergmeier, et al. 2001 276, 25121-25126, 2001). To evaluate whether degranulation of platelets occurs during modification, we also measure P-selectin exposure of chilled murine and human platelets modified or not using fluorescent labeled anti-P-selectin antibodies by flow cytometry (Michelson et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci., USA 93, 11877-11882, 1996).

[0262] 10⁹ CMFDA-labeled platelets are transfused into mice, first verifying that these platelets are functional in vitro. We determine whether chilled platelets contribute to aggregation by transfusing chilled or room temperature CMFDA-labeled platelets into αMβ2 deficient mice. At 30 min., 2 hours and twenty-four hours after the infusion of platelets, a standard tail vein bleeding test is performed (Denis, et al. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 95, 9524-9529, 1998). The emerging blood is fixed immediately in 1% formaldehyde and platelet aggregation is determined by whole blood flow cytometry. Platelet aggregates appear as bigger sized particles in the dot plot analysis. To verify that the transfused platelets do not aggregate in the normal circulation we also bleed the mice through the retroorbital eye plexus into an anticoagulant. Platelets do not form aggregates under these bleeding conditions. The emerging blood is fixed immediately and platelets are analyzed by flow cytometry in whole blood as described above. Platelets are identified through binding of a phycoerythrin-conjugated α_(IIb)β₃ specific monoclonal antibody. The infused platelets in the blood sample are identified by their CMFDA-fluorescence. Non-infused platelets are identified by their lack of CMFDA fluorescence (Michelson, et al, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci., U.S.A. 93, 11877-11882, 1996). The same set of tests is performed with CMFDA modified (galactosylated) chilled platelets transfusing these platelets into αMβ2 and WT. This experiment tests aggregation of chilled platelets modified or not in shed blood.

[0263] 10⁹ CM-orange labeled unmodified chilled or room temperature platelets are transfused into αMβ2 deficient mice to verify that these platelets are functional in vitro. At 30 min., 2 h and twenty-four hours after the infusion of CM-orange labeled platelets, PRP is isolated as described and analyzed by flow cytometry. P-selectin exposure is measured using an anti FITC-conjugated anti P-selectin antibody (Berger, et al, Blood 92, 4446-4452, 1998). Non-infused platelets are identified by their lack of CM-orange fluorescence. The infused platelets in the blood sample are identified by their CM-orange fluorescence. CM-orange and P-selectin positive platelets appear as double positive fluorescently (CM-orange/FITC) stained platelets. To verify that chilled platelets still expose P-selectin after thrombin activation, PRP is activated through the addition of thrombin (1 U/ml, 2 min at 37° C.) and P-selectin exposure is measured as described. To analyze the binding of fibrinogen to α_(IIb)β₃, isolated platelets are activated through the addition of thrombin (1 U/ml, 2 min, 37° C.) and Oregon-green coupled fibrinogen (20 μg/ml) added for 20 min at 37° C. (Heilmann, et al, Cytometry 17, 287-293, 1994). The samples are analyzed immediately by flow cytometry. The infused platelets in the PRP sample are identified by their CM-orange fluorescence. CM-orange and Oregon-green positive platelets appear as double positive fluorescently stained (CM-orange/Oregon green) platelets. The same sets of experiments are performed with CM-orange labeled modified (galactosylated) chilled platelets transfused into αMβ2 deficient and WT mice.

Example 6

[0264] In Vivo Thrombosis Model

[0265] First, we show the delivery of RT and unmodified chilled platelets to injured endothelium of αMβ2 deficient mice using double fluorescently labeled platelets. The resting blood vessel is monitored for 4 min., then ferric chloride (30 μl of a 250-mM solution) (Sigma, St Louis, Mo.) is applied on top of the arteriole by superfusion, and video recording resumed for another 10 min. Centerline erythrocyte velocity (Vrbc) is measured before filming and 10 min after ferric chloride injury. The shear rate is calculated on the basis of Poiseuille's law for a Newtonian fluid (Denis, et al, Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 95, 9524-9529, 1998). These experiments show if chilled platelets have normal hemostatic function. We repeat these experiments in WT mice comparing RT and galactosylated chilled platelets using two different, fluorescently labeled platelet populations injected into the same mouse and analyze the thrombus formation and incorporation of both platelet populations.

[0266] We then compare in vitro platelet functions and survival and in vivo hemostatic activity of chilled and modified chilled murine platelets stored for 1, 5, 7 and 14 days under refrigeration as described above. We compare the recovery and circulation times of these stored chilled and modified chilled platelets and prove that: 1) the modification through galactose transfer onto chilled murine platelets is stable after the long term refrigeration; and 2) that these platelets function normally. Survival experiments are performed as described above. We use WGA binding, to verify that GlcNAc residues remain covered by galactose after the longer storage time points. As an ultimate test that these modified, stored platelets are functionally intact and contribute to hemostasis, we transfuse them into total-body-irradiated mice (Hoyer, et al, Oncology 49, 166-172, 1992). To obtain the sufficient numbers of platelets, we inject mice with commercially available murine thrombopoietin for seven days to increase their platelet count (Lok, et al. Nature 369, 565-558, 1994). Isolated platelets are modified using the optimized galactose transfer protocol, stored under refrigeration, transfused, and tail vein bleeding times measured. Since unmodified chilled platelets do not persist in the circulation, a comparison of modified cooled platelets with room temperature stored platelets is not necessary at this point. The murine platelets are stored under refrigeration in standard test tubes. If a comparison with room temperature stored murine platelets is necessary we switch to primate platelets. Rather than engineer special down-scale, gas-permeable storage containers to accommodate mouse platelets, such comparisons are more appropriate for primates (including humans) for which room temperature storage bags have been designed.

Example 7

[0267] Galactosylation of Platelets in a Platelet Concentrate.

[0268] Four different platelet concentrates were treated with increasing concentrations of UDP galactose: 400 μM, 600 μM, and 800 μM. RCA binding ratio measurements showed a dose dependent increase in galactosylation in the four samples tested. (FIG. 16). Our results provide evidence that galactosylation is possible in platelet concentrates.

[0269] It should be understood that the preceding is merely a detailed description of certain preferred embodiments. It therefore should be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and equivalents can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is intended to encompass all such modifications within the scope of the appended claims.

[0270] All references, patents and patent publications that are recited in this application are incorporated in their entirety herein by reference.

We claim: 

1. A method for increasing the circulation time of a population of platelets comprising: contacting an isolated population of platelets with at least one glycan modifying agent in an amount effective to reduce the clearance of the population of platelets.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one glycan modifying agent is selected from the group consisting of: UDP-galactose and UDP-galactose precursors.
 3. The method of claim 2, wherein the glycan modifying agent is UDP-galactose.
 4. The method of claim 2, further comprising an enzyme that converts the UDP-galactose precursor to UDP-galactose.
 5. The method of any one of claims 1-4, further comprising adding an enzyme that catalyzes the modification of a glycan moiety.
 6. The method of claim 5, wherein the glycan modifying agent is UDP-galactose and the enzyme is galactosyl transferase.
 7. The method of any one of claims 1-4, further comprising chilling the population of platelets prior to, concurrently with, or after contacting the platelets with the at least one glycan modifying agent.
 8. The method of any of claims 1-4, wherein the population of platelets retains substantially normal hemostatic activity.
 9. The method of any of claims 1-4, wherein the step of contacting the population of platelets with at least one glycan modifying agent is performed in a platelet bag.
 10. The method of any one of claims 1-4, wherein the circulation time is increased by at least about 10%.
 11. A method for increasing the storage time of platelets, comprising: contacting an isolated population of platelets with an amount of at least one glycan modifying agent in an amount effective to reduce the clearance of the population of platelets, and storing the population of platelets.
 12. The method of claim 11, wherein the at least one glycan modifying agent is selected from the group consisting of: UDP-galactose and UDP-galactose precursors.
 13. The method of claim 12, wherein the glycan modifying agent is UDP-galactose.
 14. The method of claim 12, further comprising an enzyme that converts the UDP-galactose precursor to UDP-galactose.
 15. The method of any one of claims 11-14, further comprising adding an enzyme that catalyzes the addition of the glycan modifying agent to a glycan on the surface of the platelets.
 16. The method of claim 15, wherein the glycan modifying agent is UDP-galactose and the enzyme is galactosyl transferase.
 17. The method of any one of claims 11-14, further comprising chilling the population of platelets prior to, concurrently with, or after contacting the platelets with the at least one glycan modifying agent.
 18. The method of any one of claims 11-14, wherein the population of platelets retains substantially normal hemostatic activity.
 19. The method of any one of claims 11-14, wherein the step of contacting the population of platelets with at least one glycan modifying agent is performed in a platelet bag or container.
 20. The method of claim 17, wherein the platelets are stored chilled for at least about 3 days.
 21. The method of claim 17, wherein the platelets are stored chilled for at least about 5 days.
 22. The method of claim 17, wherein the platelets are stored chilled for at least about 7 days.
 23. The method of claim 17, wherein the platelets are stored chilled for at least about 10 days.
 24. The method of claim 17, wherein the platelets are stored chilled for at least about 14 days.
 25. The method of claim 17, wherein the platelets are stored chilled for at least about 21 days.
 26. The method of claim 17, wherein the platelets are stored chilled for at least about 28 days.
 27. A modified platelet comprising a plurality of modified glycan molecules on the surface of the platelet.
 28. The modified platelet of claim 27, wherein the modified glycan molecules are moieties of GP1bα molecules.
 29. The modified platelet of claim 27, wherein the modified glycan molecules comprise at least one added sugar molecule.
 30. The modified platelet of claim 29, wherein the added sugar is a natural sugar.
 31. The modified platelet of claim 29, wherein the added sugar is a non-natural sugar.
 32. The modified platelet of claim 29, wherein the added sugar is selected from the group consisting of: UDP-galactose and UDP-galactose precursors.
 33. The method of claim 32, further comprising an enzyme that converts the UDP-galactose precursor to UDP-galactose.
 34. The modified platelet of claim 32, wherein the added sugar is UDP-galactose.
 35. A platelet composition comprising a plurality of modified platelets of any one of claims 27-34.
 36. The platelet composition of claim 35, further comprising a storage medium.
 37. The platelet composition of claim 35, further comprising a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.
 38. A method for making a pharmaceutical composition for administration to a mammal, the method comprising the steps of: (a) contacting a population of platelets contained in a pharmaceutically-acceptable carrier with at least one glycan modifying agent to form a treated platelet preparation, (b) storing the treated platelet preparation, and (c) warming the treated platelet preparation.
 39. The method of claim 38, wherein the step of warming the treated platelet preparation is performed by warming the platelets to 37° C.
 40. The method of claim 38, wherein the step of contacting a population of platelets comprises contacting the platelets with at least one glycan modifying agent in the presence of an enzyme that catalyzes the modification of a glycan moiety.
 41. The method of claim 40, further comprising removing or neutralizing the enzyme in the platelet preparation.
 42. The method of claim 38, wherein the step of removing or neutralizing the enzyme is performed by washing the platelet preparation.
 43. The method of claim 38, wherein the at least one glycan modifying agent is selected from the group consisting of: UDP-galactose and UDP-galactose precursors.
 44. The method of claim 43, further comprising an enzyme that converts the UDP-galactose precursor to UDP-galactose.
 45. The method of claim 43, wherein the at least one glycan modifying agent is UDP-galactose.
 46. The method of claim 38, further comprising adding an enzyme that catalyzes the addition of the glycan modifying agent to a glycan moiety.
 47. The method of claim 46, wherein the glycan modifying agent is UDP-galactose and the enzyme is galactosyl transferase.
 48. The method any one of claims 38-47, wherein the population of platelets has preserved hemostatic activity.
 49. The method of any one of claims 38-47, wherein the step of contacting the population of platelets with at least one glycan modifying agent is performed in a platelet bag or container.
 50. The method of claim 38, wherein the platelets preparation is stored at a temperature of less than about 15° C.
 51. The method of claim 38, wherein the platelet preparation is stored at room temperature.
 52. A method for mediating hemostasis in a mammal comprising administering a plurality of a platelet of any one of claims 27-34, or platelet composition of any of claims 35-37, to the mammal.
 53. A storage composition for preserving platelets comprising, at least one glycan modifying agent in an amount sufficient to modify glycans of platelets added to the storage composition.
 54. The composition of claim 53, further comprising an enzyme that catalyzes the modification of a glycan moiety.
 55. The composition of claim 53, wherein the composition is stored at a temperature of less than about 15° C.
 56. The composition of claim 53, wherein the composition is stored at room temperature.
 57. A container for collecting platelets comprising the storage composition of any of claims 53 or
 54. 58. The container of claim 52, further comprising a plurality of platelets.
 59. The container of claim 58, wherein the at least one glycan modifying agent is present at concentrations at which they are not present in naturally occurring platelets.
 60. A device for collecting and processing platelets comprising: a container for collecting platelets; at least one satellite container in fluid communication with said container; and at least one glycan modifying agent in the satellite container.
 61. The device of claim 60, wherein the at least one glycan modifying agent in the satellite container is present in sufficient amounts to preserve the platelets in the container.
 62. The device of claim 61, wherein the satellite container is connected to the container by a breakable seal.
 63. The device of claim 60, wherein the bag further comprises plasma containing a plurality of platelets. 